Raissa Riley Carpenter

She was the first public defender that met with me prior to the hearing. She was consistently on the ball. She kept me informed and did her homework. On my re-sentencing day for probation revocation she presented my case providing my mental health records and chemical dependency treatment files. At t...he time my probation officer recommended prison time. She cross examined him and highlighted areas where he was misinformed. she presented everything honest and black and white. She asked for my permission to share some of my history and struggles with the judge and warned me it would be very emotional. After many failed attempts at treatment and halfway houses she helped them see me as a human being and believed I could succeed at something I had given up on. I was prepared for prison time and she provided a ray of hope and last chance for redemption. If it weren't for her I my life would have turned out very different.