Given the incarceration epidemic in our nation, it is critical to be cognizant of the stark difference between a public and private prison. Let’s start with public prisons, since this is where 92 percent of inmates are kept. Public prisons are non-profit prisons owned and operated by the state and federal governments. In public prisons, … read more
Blog
Forward Thinking with Change in Mind
As a current college student, I have been fortunate enough to call both North Carolina and New York home: to be part of two unparalleled communities. And when I think about community, I instantly think of role models across the nation who play a formative role in engendering an atmosphere that nurtures and bolsters the … read more
Disparity
Racial inconsistencies People of color are extraordinarily more likely to enter the country’s justice system than the general population. State and federal governments are quite cognizant of this discrepancy, and researchers and policymakers are delving into the catalysts driving the numerics in addition to what specific procedures are utilized to confront the inconsistencies. The United … read more
Objectivity
Around the planet, governments confront illegal activity and social unrest in a myriad of disparate fashions. The astonishing crime surge in the United States was preventable. Progressive policymakers emulating the synonymous reckless revolving-door policies during the 1960s and ‘70s consciously produced the most substantial deluge of violent crime in history through incarcerating Americans at globally … read more
Justice
Latin Roots The word justice is derived from the Latin words jungere (to bind, to tie together) and jus (a bond or tie), reflective of a conjoined notion that functions as a tool to organize people into groups and distribute each person his or her due share of rights and duties, rewards and punishments. The … read more
Necessary Change
A Flawed System For quite some time, when it comes to public safety, we have accredited success to the number of individuals put behind bars. Such a procedure has not by definition made our communities safer. It has, undoubtedly, ignited a detonation in both the prison population and its corresponding costs. Research demonstrates that for … read more
Transparency
What does justice in America materialize as? Policymakers, law enforcement officers and academic researchers across the nation have been grappling with the aforementioned query, specifically as it relates to local jails and state prisons where most offenders are detained. Regardless of an individual’s political affiliation – conservative or liberal, Democrat or Republican – we all … read more
Being Impartial
As an adjective, impartial is “treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just”. This approach is without: bias, adjusting one’s moral compass or personal agendas. It is using your power or control with integrity when it is hard, inconvenient or otherwise. You don’t take sides. You take action. As a non-profit, Impartial is a … read more
Where North Carolina Stands on Reforms proposed by the North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity and Justice
Late last year, partly in response to the protests that rocked the nation after the murder of George Floyd, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill that was passed with bipartisan support. The bill, Senate Bill 300, creates requirements for police departments to share recordings of the death of serious … read more
Artists’ Time
Without change, there is no trace of creativity, innovation, or enticement for growth. Those ambitious individuals who galvanize transformation have a greater chance to control the change that is inexplicably inescapable. Heroic artists do not just reflect our past and present, they help to shape the future. Intellectual curiosity stimulates a deep, persistent ‘need to … read more
Mom Died
I have been writing about being a criminal defendant, but today I am writing about being a daughter. Probably the most vigilant supporter I have ever known for my whole life was my Mother. She knew my soul. She knew my essence. Good or bad, there was nothing that I could hide from her if … read more
A Tribute To My Aunt
I was prosecuted for a crime I didn’t commit years ago. I sit here writing my blog with tears in my eyes and a warm heart. For nearly two weeks, I have been in a skilled nursing facility daily beside my Aunt who is dying. She has lived a long, healthy, good life. She worked … read more
Arbitration – Continued
I am describing a federal criminal prosecution I was involved with many years ago. I was innocent. As my securities career grew, I decided to become an industry arbitrator. I had been on a committee of 3 where we listened to clients discuss their claims against their brokers. That was the essence of a typical … read more
Arbitration With Former Co-Defendants
I am describing a federal criminal prosecution I was involved with many years ago. I was innocent. For most of the time that the criminal prosecution was going on, it continuously amazed me that all my co-defendants were responding to an investor arbitration case that we were all in. The person that initiated the arbitration, … read more
A More Than “Heavy” Package
I am describing a federal criminal prosecution I was involved with many years ago. I was innocent. If you read my blog regularly, I apologize for the delay from my last blog. The last one got me. I have never been able to get the words out until now and it’s not “smooth”. Subconsciously, I … read more
Post Trial Activities
I am writing about my personal prosecution experience. When we left the Courtroom after I could hardly move from hearing the verdict, my husband could not seem to find his way home. Literally. He went around in circles a few times, until I asked him if he wanted me to drive. It was one of … read more
Prosecution Witnesses
I am telling the story of my criminal prosecution and this blog is a summary of the prosecution’s witnesses. Per their charges, the prosecution was supposed to prove that I was in a conspiracy to launder money. Money laundering is defined as the concealment of the origins of illegally obtained money, typically by means of … read more
Verdict
I am describing my criminal prosecution that took place many years ago. I was innocent. When the jury said they had a verdict, we were all back in the Courtroom within less than 10 minutes. It had only been a day since the trial concluded, so you second guess if the amount of time they … read more
Testified
I had redefined exhaustion after I testified. There would be no more 18+ hour days of working full time, taking care of 3 kids, and getting up at 3 or 4 am to work on the case. For about a year and a half, I kept that schedule and I just didn’t have to do … read more
Testifying
I am telling the story of a federal criminal case I was in many years ago. I had been told by many people that the Government had to find me guilty and that I didn’t need to prove my innocence. I didn’t believe it when I heard it and as time passed, I believed it … read more
