Case, Staff, Committee, DREAM, & Intern News!
Case News:
Client received a time-served sentence after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm by someone who has been convicted of a felony. This was the client’s third conviction for that crime. More than a dozen people appeared for Client’s sentencing hearing, and several addressed the Court. Together with Client’s FPD advocates, they were able to explain to the Court the client’s traumatic upbringing, and demonstrate for the Court the client’s tremendous contributions to the community. Ultimately, the Court agreed that treatment would be a more just result than imprisonment. Congratulations to client, his family, and his community! Wonderful outcome for our client and outstanding work by Seattle AFD Gregory Murphy, Tacoma AFD Elizabeth Sher, Seattle paralegal Natalya Kim, Tacoma paralegal Julie Valencia and a Seattle investigator!
A Housing Connector Success!
Our client, who at 24 years old, was sentenced to 204 months in custody and served most of his adult life in prison. He was released a couple years ago, and as most who exit incarceration, struggled immensely to establish stable housing and garner independent living skills. Client spent years going in and out of the halfway house, living in his car, and overpaying for shelter by staying in a motel to survive.
FPD mitigation specialist Amanda Merfeld successfully got the client approved for his own apartment through Housing Connector and he now has stable housing. He is also now gainfully employed through WELD. Congratulations to this client for being resilient in the face of adversity and working towards stability.
Isabelle Breitfelder, a summer legal intern with our office, did a fantastic job advocating for our client at sentencing. Isabelle convinced the judge to come below the government’s recommendation of 3 months, which helps our client keep his hopeful plans for the future. Wonderful work, Isabelle!
FPD Summer legal intern Andrew Wendel convinced the Court not to require a client to participate in Moral Recognition Therapy. Andrew argued that, for this client, MRT was both unnecessary and conflicted with the individualized treatment he was already receiving. Judge Jones had many questions for Andrew, who answered them all with incredible skill. Our client is thrilled, and we cannot wait to see what Andrew does next!
Siri Wheeler, an FPD summer intern who is a rising 3L at Boston University School of Law gave a stirring presentation before Judge Lasnik for a disposition hearing so the client could be immediately released from custody to inpatient drug treatment following violations of his supervised release. Congrats Siri!
In another “time-served” victory, Isabelle Breitfeld, a rising 3L at University of Iowa College of Law convinced Judge Martinez to release a client to the RRC so that he could start receiving appropriate mental health medications and services. Amazing work, Isabelle!
Staff News:
Please Welcome our New Seattle Assistant Federal Defender: Mukund Rathi!
Mukund Rathi joined the office as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. Mukund has a background in computer science and came to us from the Electronic Frontier Foundation. There he worked on litigation and projects related to police surveillance, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and online free speech, among other issues. Prior to EFF, Mukund worked at NACDL’s Fourth Amendment Center advising defense attorneys on emerging issues and technology, including constitutional challenges to geofence warrants. He also helped coordinate NACDL’s work on behalf of clients seeking clemency, represented clients seeking compassionate release, and developed a class action lawsuit against the BOP. Welcome Mukund (and S’mores, who is in the running for Pet of the Month).
We celebrated Mukund’s arrival with a gathering for his swearing in!
Committee News:
Our Office’s Equity and Inclusion Committee Hosted a Saturday Brunch!
Thank you to our E&I committee who organized a weekend brunch for the office. Folks brought their kids and their dogs and were able to gather outside of work in the Seattle sun!
DREAM News:
Our client, R., graduated from DREAM Court. R., her husband, and two other co-defendants were charged with offenses related to drug trafficking and R. faced a sentencing guideline range of 97- 112 months’ incarceration had she been convicted. Since her arrest, R. has worked tirelessly to rebuild her life. She engaged in the Pastry Project’s training program and became a baker extraordinaire. She has also worked on rebuilding relationships with family members and loved ones, engaged in treatment, and found housing that she has made into a home. We are confident that R. will continue to make the world a sweeter place and wish her all of the best in the future.
DREAM Court will continue to take place mostly by Zoom, but will take place in person about every three months. Please check the Court’s website to learn more about upcoming hearings.
Intern News:
Please Welcome our Two New Social Work Interns:
Please Welcome our New Undergrad Intern:
Margaret Green, a rising junior majoring in Government at Georgetown University, brings her passion for law and justice to her role as an Undergraduate Intern at the Federal Public Defender's Office. Originally from Seattle, Margaret is driven to contribute to the office's mission and enhance her skills as an advocate for justice. Margaret brings prior experience at a government affairs firm in Washington, DC, and enjoys hiking, cooking, and exploring our state’s national parks.
Legal Intern Update
Gabriella Jackson, who interned with our office this Winter quarter, will graduated from University of Washington Law School this June. Gabriella has accepted a position with the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office in their Senior Clerkship program. Gabriella will be trained in the program for four months and after she passes the Bar, will be hired on fulltime. Amazing news and congrats Gabriella on the start of your Public Defender career!