Jury Selection and the CSI Effect: Lessons from Phoenix Streets | Coopers' Code

Coopers' Code | Podcast | Episode 70: Jury Selection and the CSI Effect: Lessons from Phoenix Streets

I’m thrilled to share today’s Part II of my conversation with Phoenix Streets.
If you missed Part I, make sure to stream it first:
- Youtube: ⁠⁠   • From Navy Veteran to Public Defender:...  ⁠⁠
- Spotify: ⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zEE...
- Apple Podcast: ⁠⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Phoenix has served with the San Francisco Public Defender’s office for the last 24 years. In our civil world most lawyers are lucky to see a few trials a year. Not Phoenix. Within his first two years in practice, Phoenix received an official commendation from San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors for trying more misdemeanor cases than any lawyer in the last decade. His work was featured on PBS through a documentary, Presumed Guilty. Phoenix gives us a glimpse into criminal court trial work and how one focused individual can change lives.

Phoenix grew up in the small southern town of Beebe, Arkansas, where he and his family experienced racist attacks and abuse. These experiences helped fuel Phoenix's drive to become a public defender. He did not take the easy route. Phoenix served our country with four years enlisted in the Navy, then attended UC Berkeley on the G.I. Bill, and finally law school at UC Law.

As you listen today, I ask you to consider something Phoenix said when we initially spoke: “When things are at their bleakest, I remember I am a descendent of slaves, and I think about what they went through.” With that framing, I ask that you sit back and enjoy this interview with Phoenix Streets.

Episode Timestamps:
00:00:00 - 00:02:28 - Introduction and the Impact of the CSI Effect
00:02:29 - 00:03:51 - Developing a Knowledge Base on Plea Deals
00:03:52 - 00:05:10 - Handling a High Volume of Trials
00:05:11 - 00:07:23 - Motion Practice in Misdemeanor Trials
00:07:24 - 00:08:51 - The Importance of On-Site Investigation
00:08:52 - 00:09:56 - Jury Selection Strategies and Bias Recognition
00:09:57 - 00:11:08 - Managing Jury Expectations in Trials
00:11:09 - 00:12:11 - Working Alone vs. Team Collaboration
00:12:12 - 00:14:28 - Building Trust with Clients
00:14:29 - 00:17:53 - Overcoming Public Defender Stigma
00:17:54 - 00:19:10 - Jeff Adachi’s Legacy and Public Outreach
00:19:11 - 00:21:36 - The Clean Slate Program and Expungements
00:21:37 - 00:23:05 - Transitioning to the Felony Unit
00:23:06 - 00:24:27 - Starting with Non-Homicide Felonies
00:24:28 - 00:26:01 - Handling Complex Felony Cases
00:26:02 - 00:27:10 - The Need for Experts in Felony Trials
00:27:11 - 00:27:48 - Requesting Budget for Expert Witnesses

More on Phoenix Streets:
- LinkedIn - ⁠⁠  / phoenix-streets-0191479  
- San Francisco Public Defender’s office: ⁠https://sfpublicdefender.org/⁠

Tune in next week for Part III!

Hosted by   / coopersllp-miles-cooper  
Produced by   / maurokenjiserra   | Kenji Productions⁠⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.kenjiproductions.com⁠⁠⁠
Recorded & Co-produced by   / zachmorvant  
Music by ⁠⁠⁠The Sure Fire Soul Ensemble⁠⁠

Rate/Leave a review on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5em7FpI...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Questions, comments, feedback and suggestion? Email us at: [email protected]

Read Coopers' Code: https://www.coopers.law/coopers-code/
Read Miles Coopers articles and publications: https://www.coopers.law/articles/

#law #podcast #education
Rate/Leave a review on:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5em7FpI...
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Questions, comments, feedback and suggestion? Email us at: [email protected]

Read Coopers' Code: https://www.coopers.law/coopers-code/
Read Miles Coopers articles and publications: https://www.coopers.law/articles/

#law #podcast #education