After 22 years in the Boulder Public Defender's Office鈥攊ncluding the last six as the head of the office鈥�Megan Ring ('96) stepped into the role of Colorado state public defender on Aug. 1, 2018. She is the first woman to hold the position in Colorado.
Ring started working as a public defender in the Boulder office in 1996, the same year she graduated law school. She now oversees the entire state's public defender system, including almost 900 public defense employees.
When did you know that you wanted to be a public defender and why?
Steve Jacobson, the former head of the Boulder Regional Office, presented in my Criminal Procedure class. After hearing him speak, I applied to intern with the public defender. He portrayed being a Colorado state public defender as a challenging and rewarding career. I started by interning in the Golden office the summer between my 2L and 3L years and continued throughout my 3L year. During my internship, I represented juvenile and misdemeanor clients. Helping my clients who needed advocacy was such fulfilling work. It became clear to me that this was the work I wanted to do with my law degree.
What are the top criminal justice reform issues and policies you hope to address in your role as Colorado state public defender?
Abolishing the death penalty in Colorado is number one. Decriminalizing drug use and drug possession would have such a huge impact on so many people who are addicts or even simply users. Implementing true bond reform so that people are not kept in jail because they are poor. Providing appropriate mental health services for people who suffer from mental illness so that they do not reach and are diverted from the criminal justice system. The list could go on and on, but these are on the top of my list.
What does it mean to you to be the first woman to hold this position?
I am proud that my agency knew it was time for a woman to lead us. All seven applicants for the position were women.
What do you consider your biggest success(es) as Boulder public defender, and how will you apply those successes at the state level?
My biggest successes have always been about my clients. Any time I was able to get a client out of jail to save their job, or get them a misdemeanor instead of a felony, or a probation sentence instead of a prison sentence. Helping clients is what being a public defender is all about.The Boulder Criminal Justice System has done some effective collaborating and implemented some positive changes, especially through IMPACT* in juvenile justice. The skills I developed there will translate well in my new position.
*Boulder County's IMPACT, or Integrated Managed Partnership for Adolescent and Child Community Treatment, is a partnership of 11 nonprofit and government agencies serving the needs of youth and families who are involved with juvenile justice, child welfare, or mental health agencies. Since its inception in 1997, the partnership has seen an increase in the number of children and youth who have remained safely in their homes, and a steady decline in the number of juvenile criminal filings in Boulder County.
What skills did you learn at Colorado Law that you still use to this day?
Understandably, since I ended up being a trial lawyer until my recent appointment as the state public defender, trial advocacy and legal aid were the most helpful in preparing me to be a trial lawyer. I feel very fortunate that I ended up at Colorado Law; being able to hike and get into the mountains so easily helps you deal with all of the stress that law school brings.
What advice would you give to Colorado Law students or recent graduates interested in careers in public service?
Being a public defender has been an extremely rewarding career. It has kept me energized and passionate for over 22 years. Those big salaries can be enticing coming out of law school, but doing something you love will keep you engaged for years to come.