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Doug Passon: Breaking Down Barriers, How Understanding Autism Changes Legal Outcomes
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Doug Passon shares his journey as a criminal defense lawyer and filmmaker advocating for autistic individuals in the legal system, drawing from both his professional experience and personal connection as a parent of an autistic son.
• Criminal defense lawyer who uses documentary filmmaking to humanize clients at sentencing
• Pioneered the use of video in sentencing mitigation, recognized by Wall Street Journal
• Self-described as both lawyer and filmmaker who shows humanity behind the case file
• Explains how many autistic defendants lack proper diagnosis before entering legal system
• Describes the "Three Pillars" leading to legal trouble: isolation, hyperfocus, and poor executive functioning
• Challenges misconceptions about "high-functioning" autism masking genuine impairments
• Emphasizes perspective-taking difficulties ("mind blindness") common in autism
• Reports near-zero recidivism rate among autistic defendants who receive proper support
• Advocates for better education among legal professionals about autism
• Warns parents about online vulnerabilities that can lead autistic children into legal trouble
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intro/outro music bed written by T. Wild
Why Not Me the World music published by Mantor Music (BMI)
Chapters
1. Introduction to Humanity Over Handcuffs (00:00:00)
2. Intersection of Filmmaking and Criminal Defense (00:04:12)
3. Personal Connection to Autism Advocacy (00:08:36)
4. The Rush of Insight: Diagnosing Autism (00:13:35)
5. Three Pillars Leading to Legal Trouble (00:17:14)
6. Zero Recidivism: Autism and Second Chances (00:25:37)
7. Future of Autism in the Legal System (00:29:18)
118 episodes
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