Everyone against Us: Public Defenders and the Making of American Justice

A former public defender testifies to the vivid human suffering at the heart of America’s criminal justice system.

As a public defender, Allen Goodman faced cross—examination from family and friends every day: How could he work to help criminals? How could he live with himself? Presumed guilty by association, Goodman quickly learned that people didn’t really want an answer; they wanted a justification, perhaps even an apology. Ever the idealist, Goodman answered anyway: Everyone deserves j...