Wren Collective
Coverage of Wren Collective in the Nexus archive.
- CA’s privatized public defense leads to caseloads 3x the most basic standards, report finds
A report finds that California's privatized public defense system leads to caseloads three times the recommended standards, with a 2025 example in Kings County showing a lawyer representing nearly 600 defendants. Flat-fee contracts in 24 counties incentivize minimal case work, undermining defense quality and leading to pressure on defendants to accept plea deals.
- New commission takes aim at California’s broken public defense system
California, one of two states without funding for basic public defense, has established a new commission to push for state funding and enforceable standards. The commission includes legislators, public defenders, and advocates aiming to create a five-year plan addressing issues like excessive caseloads and lack of defense investigators, as highlighted by a CalMatters investigation.