The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defenders

Presented by ALOUD, a program of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles.

Thursday, March 12 at 7pm

The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America

Emily Galvin Almanza in conversation with Percival Everett

Co-sponsored by Los Angeles County Public Defender

“Justice was the promise. Punishing poverty is the reality.”

Pulitzer Prize-winning author of James Percival Everett will join former public defender and Partners for Justice co-founder Emily Galvin Almanza to discuss her latest release The Price of Mercy: Unfair Trials, a Violent System, and a Public Defender’s Search for Justice in America. The book pulls back the curtain to reveal the dysfunction afflicting our overburdened legal system. From the ‘dirty tricks’ used to inflate police overtime, to the perverse incentives driving prosecutors, Galvin Almanza uncovers how our courts that claim to protect us are doing the exact opposite. More than an exposé; it’s a blueprint for rebuilding our country’s justice system.

“A thoughtful, persuasive call for a truly just system of justice.” —Kirkus Reviews

About the Los Angeles County Public Defender

VISION:

The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office is the finest client-centered criminal defense firm in the nation, providing a beacon for evolutionary and revolutionary changes in the justice system.

MISSION:

By 2025, measurably reduce incarceration and the collateral consequences of contact with the criminal justice system in Los Angeles County.

VALUES:

Advocacy: We are zealous Defenders, working relentlessly to meet the needs of our clients.

Compassion: We listen to our clients, respect their life experience, and tell their story.

Dedication: We are passionate about indigent defense.

Collaboration: We work with County and community stakeholders to achieve our clients’ goals.