What are /r/publicdefenders' favorite Products & Services?

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There used to be these old dime comics about Public Defenders having cool adventures. I have a poster of one of the covers on my wall. Here's a link to something similar: Link

After doing this for a long time I have come to the conclusion that no "single" way is the best way. Take a little from everyone and fit it in to what works best for you and how you think.

If you get a chance read Terry McCarthy's book on cross. He's a lifelong PD and while he incorporates much of the Pozner and Dodd methods (and the 3 rules) he does it from the perspective of a defense attorney.

As for actually prepping crosses, for the last 5 years or so I have been using the Simple Mind app. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.modelmakertools.simplemindfree&hl=en

Rather then thinking about cross in a linear fashion, the simple mind app allows you to create flow charts so you can pivot to any topic without shuffling through papers and perhaps losing your place.

https://www.amazon.com/MacCarthy-Cross-Examination-Terence/dp/1590318862

Google Drive is free, of course, but Google Workspace is also pretty cheap (e.g., $6-18/month). I think they negotiate pricing for enterprise, and probably have discount options for government/non-profits. That said, most of the features you mention, like file scanning, cloud storage, shared document editing, can all be done on the free version.

there's a pretty easy + effective answer here that, frankly, takes a whole lot less emotional labor than OP telling off the entire jail or chastising a bunch of her clients (it's a lot easier said than done, and just giving off a bitchy/professional vibe doesn't do much to stop this sort of harassment, either). *especially* when just starting out as a PD, it is incredibly difficult to both build trust-based, client-focused relationships AND have to fend off inappropriate advances.

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here's the easy mode cheat code (passed on to me by an amazing female PD in nyc when i was starting as a 3L PD clerk): CUBIC. ZIRCONIA. RING.

chinatown or amazon, take your pick. it'll run you $10 - $40, tops (depending on your taste in, uh, fake engagement rings). do not get a huge blingy one (although this is slightly tempting) because it can be super distracting to you and anyone else within a mile radius. find one you like [enough] and wear it consistently when appearing in court or visiting the jail.

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has anyone else done this or heard of this?? i have at least two fake engagement rings floating around here somewhere. for me, at least, it worked like a magic forcefield. never underestimate the power of patriarchal ownership ;)

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edited to add this link, an example of a pretty simple princess cut one from a decent brand on amazon.

How Can You Defend Those People? is one. I really enjoyed it. Even my dad (a big time conservative) liked it; he's actually changed his outlook on the criminal justice system between that and a number of heated conversations with me.

No idea if this would fit your tastes. But I've had this briefcase now for 2.5 years, much of it spent in court daily as a PD, and I quite like it. Plenty of space, and it can hold quite a lot. I've never used it as a backpack or whatever, I just use it in typical briefcase fashion and I think it ticks all the boxes.

https://www.amazon.com/CoolBELL-Convertible-Messenger-Briefcase-Multi-Functional/dp/B071HL6MDK/ref=sr\_1\_4?crid=3774S692DM6PG&keywords=convertible%2Bbriefcase&qid=1659975758&sprefix=convertible%2Bbriefcas%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-4&th=1

I have been using Workflowy for case management and trial prep for years and it's the bomb. It's an "outliner" but so much more. I have Clients list with an outline for each client. Each client outline contains everything I need to know about the case and client, including: charges, background, contacts (client, witnesses, family), bond info, info on offers, summary or state's evidence, notes on defense (motions, arguments, relevant law), and a reverse chronological running log of everything that happens with the case. Each day I can sort by "today" and get a list of the cases up that day, which I then take to court so I have everything for that day's cases at my fingertips. I can also sort by "tomorrow" or any other date to see what's coming up and work ahead if my caseload ever gets small enough to allow that. You can also share these outlines with your colleagues if you're both working not eh case or if you want to try to use it to manage cases among a group.

For trial prep, outlines are the perfect structure for Posner's "chapter" method of cross. It also works well for direct examination prep, closing and opening arguments, etc.

I could go on but I won't. It might not be for everyone and maybe it won't help you, but I've found it to be invaluable.

I absolutely love mock and real trial! I am also a Professor of Trial Advocacy at a local law school. If you want to connect off-line, I'm happy to meet with you (via zoom or other online medium) if you're interested. I have also started a podcast that break downs actual Trials and aspects of Trial Advocacy. The podcast is called, "Members of the Jury". You can find it here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1273586/7342675

Here is my advice. https://wordpress.com/block-editor/post/gideonssoldiers.com/312

Public Defense Zen is a good FB group for PD's (as far as FB groups can be good). There is a listserve for forensics. It is good to be a part of as a new lawyer. Definitely going to be doing more reading than participating, but you will learn a ton. [email protected]

Whoever said to peruse the DSM-V, great idea. Just familiarize yourself with it. Read up on topics you will encounter a ton of (Substance Use Disorder, Bi-Polar and Related Disorders, and Personality Disorders are a good start). No one expects you to read it and become a psychologist; that's for your second year, ;}

Good luck and reach out if you need anything!

Briefcase.

I love this one: https://www.amazon.com/Banuce-Vintage-Briefcase-Business-Messenger/dp/B072BZQVNG/ref=sr_1_32?dchild=1&keywords=briefcase&qid=1623119401&refinements=p_72%3A2661618011&rnid=2661617011&s=apparel&sr=1-32

I didn't have any specific ones in mind (I'm trying to find a great little book that is out of print but I have a pdf in my office somewhere), but MacCarthy on Cross-Examination appears well-reviewed on Amazon so I might pick it up myself: http://www.amazon.com/MacCarthy-Cross-Examination-Terence/dp/1590318862/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1452780708&sr=8-1&keywords=cross-examination