Santa Cruz County Public Defender Heather Rogers joins guest host Joy Schendledecker for a far-ranging conversation about the rise of holistic defense and the ongoing criminalization of homelessness in Santa Cruz and beyond.
Aired on Moment of Truth with Ami Chen Mills — March 17, 2025
Joy and Heather explore how local and national policies under the Trump administration are reshaping the landscape for public defenders and their clients, with a focus on restorative justice and community support—not punishment.
The episode also touches on:
- The devastating impact of the Grants Pass Supreme Court case
- California Propositions 36 and 6, and what they mean for low-level offenses and diversion programs
- The criminalization of mutual aid, with a case study from Fremont
- How protest-related arrests intersect with the mission of public defense
Featuring music by:
- Sihasin – Fight Like a Woman
- Klee Benally – Fire to the Cages
Produced by the Moment of Truth team:
Nyanko Nyasu, Meilin Obinata, Todd Zimmerman and Joy
Theme by Todd Zimmerman (Nativerse Studios)
Logo by Cathy Krizik
Contact us: ami@ksqd.org
More episodes: www.ksqd.org
