A woman waits outside the Wharton County Courthouse Annex before court Nov. 9, 2022. The Texas county is one of many with no public defender office. Instead, judges assign private attorneys to people who cannot afford one, which experts say can create conflict of interest. Public defenders avoid agitating the judge, which can diminish effective defense.
EMILY HAMER, LEE ENTERPRISES' PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM TEAM
Lassen County Superior Court Judge Tony Mallery, right, debates former Lassen County District Attorney Robert Burns in October 2012. Mallery has been accused of "willful misconduct in office," including allegedly retaliating against court-appointed attorneys who made motions against him. Mallery took away two attorneys' cases, and by extension, part of their incomes, according to an inquiry against him. (credit in the byline box: LASSEN COUNTY TIMES)
Lassen County Superior Court’s presiding judge Tony Mallery, left, administers the oath of office to Mark Nareau Dec. 28, 2017. In summer 2019, Mallery allegedly told a group of defense attorneys and prosecutors he would no longer accept their "too lenient" plea deals and planned to impose the maximum sentence for all who plead guilty. (credit in the byline box: LYNNE SELLA, LASSEN COUNTY TIMES)
Editor's note: This story is part of 'Broken Defense,' an investigative series from Lee Enterprises. More details about this project can be found at the bottom of this article.
Lassen County Judge Tony Mallery huddles prosecutors and defense attorneys in a room before court in early California summer 2019.
Lassen County Superior Court’s presiding judge Tony Mallery, left, administers the oath of office to Mark Nareau Dec. 28, 2017. In summer 2019, Mallery allegedly told a group of defense attorneys and prosecutors he would no longer accept their "too lenient" plea deals and planned to impose the maximum sentence for all who plead guilty. (credit in the byline box: LYNNE SELLA, LASSEN COUNTY TIMES)
A woman waits outside the Wharton County Courthouse Annex before court Nov. 9, 2022. The Texas county is one of many with no public defender office. Instead, judges assign private attorneys to people who cannot afford one, which experts say can create conflict of interest. Public defenders avoid agitating the judge, which can diminish effective defense.
EMILY HAMER, LEE ENTERPRISES' PUBLIC SERVICE JOURNALISM TEAM
Lassen County Superior Court Judge Tony Mallery, right, debates former Lassen County District Attorney Robert Burns in October 2012. Mallery has been accused of "willful misconduct in office," including allegedly retaliating against court-appointed attorneys who made motions against him. Mallery took away two attorneys' cases, and by extension, part of their incomes, according to an inquiry against him. (credit in the byline box: LASSEN COUNTY TIMES)
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