text: I respect your response, which is thoughtful and informed. No, I am not a public defender, never have been ... but I hold them in high regard as being overworked, underpaid and underfunded. It is difficult to have the time equal to private counsel when the taxpayers refuse to adequately fund the PDs. I have had co-counsel cases with them, and with only few exceptions, Alaska is blessed with talented, dedicated public defenders. They are far better than what I've seen elsewhere.
  
  They compromise because they must. If there is a flaw, it is the funding. Taxpayers want lengthy sentences and perfect justice ... but aren't willing to foot the bill for more cops (also underpaid,) more prosecutors, more court personnel, more social workers (incredibly overworked and underpaid,) and more public defenders.
  
  In short, we get what we pay for ... the public cries for justice but won't fund it. It's a trap for everyone, especially the victims who, of all, are the most shortchanged.