Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois’ Post

Earlier this year, I started helping out on Judge Stowers’ juvenile docket in Putnam County, West Virginia. Truants and delinquents. Ten years into this whole lawyering thing and I decided it was time to become involved in my local community. What better way than representing at-risk youth?    Judge Stowers is very passionate about this program. And it shows. Yeah, that's right. A circuit judge with a docket full of felonies and big ole civil cases, he somehow manages to dedicate--at a minimum--an entire day each week to his juvenile docket, and a lot of times it goes well into the evening hours. Turns out, if kids realize you're there for them and they get the support they need, they thrive. FOR THE 2022-2023 SCHOOL YEAR, THE PROGRAM HAD A 100 PERCENT GRADUATION RATE!  Yes, you read that right. Every single kid who was skipping school and on the verge of falling off the radar reversed course and graduated with a high school diploma. The judge, his staff and the other attorneys involved are special people (in the best of ways). Real talk: That's how you make a difference.   If you’re an attorney and interested in becoming involved in something like this, reach out to your local county bar or circuit court. Kids need help. You will make a difference. #judicial #equalopportunities #equality   Putnam Juvenile Court Programs achieve 100 percent graduation rate (courtswv.gov)

🚨 Landmark Decision in Massachusetts: Life Sentences Without Parole Limited to Age 21 🚨 👩⚖️ In a groundbreaking ruling, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court declared that individuals under 21 cannot be sentenced to life without parole, expanding the protection previously afforded to those under 18. The court deemed such sentences "cruel or unusual punishment" under the state constitution. 📜 This decision, arising from Commonwealth v. Sheldon Mattis, extends the 2013 ruling, impacting individuals like Mattis, convicted at 18 for murder. Massachusetts is now the first state to prohibit life sentences without parole for those under 21. Approximately one-fifth of those serving life without parole were 18-20 at the time of their offenses. The ruling opens parole opportunities for around 200 individuals, requiring a minimum term served and a case presented to the parole board. 🧡 While the decision brings hope and change, it sparks discussions on criminal legal reform. As Massachusetts takes this bold step, the evolving landscape may inspire similar reforms nationwide. #CriminalLegalReform #MassachusettsLaw #LegalNews #JusticeForAll 🌐⚖️ https://lnkd.in/eMzZevj5

In the midst of election-year debates, this insightful article underscores the bipartisan momentum behind criminal justice reform. It highlights an effort aimed at shortening post-prison supervision without compromising public safety. It's time we rise above partisan divides and work across the aisle to ensure that the work being done to reform the criminal justice system continues regardless of who holds political power. Read more about it here: https://loom.ly/Xpt_YQ0

Under a Lionheart Administration, your radical positions and actions would not go unnoticed. Instead of suspension, your actions would warrant immediate termination and disbarment from practicing law. You have taken extreme positions that pose a significant threat to our state and our republic. I applaud him for removing you from public service your removal with me would’ve been because of your insubordination and Marxist agenda which are both grounds for termination. In the spirit of unity, we as a nation must come together to address the critical issues facing our great republic. These are not ordinary times, and the challenges we face require extraordinary leadership. I, Amaro Lionheart, stand before you today as a candidate for public office, driven by a profound sense of duty and responsibility to the American people. Our nation has always been a beacon of hope and freedom, a place where people from all walks of life could come together to build a better future. Yet, in recent years, we have seen a growing divide, an erosion of our core values, and an assault on the very principles that make America exceptional. I stand firmly against those who would seek to impose radical agendas on our great nation. I believe in the principles that have made America the land of opportunity for generations. I believe in limited government, personal responsibility, and the free market. I believe in the importance of individual rights and liberties, including the right to bear arms, the right to free speech, and the right to practice our faith without fear of persecution. In recent years, we have seen the erosion of our constitutional rights through overreaching government regulations and executive orders. We have seen the weaponization of government agencies for political purposes. We have witnessed the erosion of our national security through failed foreign policies and weakened borders. It is time to restore our Constitution and the principles it embodies. One of the most pressing issues facing our nation is the threat of radicalism within our government. We have seen elected officials embrace socialist and Marxist ideologies, advocating for policies that would fundamentally transform our nation. These policies would lead to more government control, less individual freedom, and a weaker economy.. As a nation, we have a responsibility to protect our citizens and our way of life. We must address the growing threats posed by radical ideologies and state-sponsored terrorism. I am committed to taking a strong stance against these threats and ensuring the safety of our nation. You picking and choosing what laws to enforce and not is not part your job description thus it is a severe dereliction of duty. So to recap Monique Worrell you would be fired under a Lionheart Administration.

“…over 90% of the convictions followed upon guilty pleas. So there’s no trial. In the small percentage of cases that did involve a trial, convictions were imposed by juries…” The question is how those guilty pleas came to be entered. Prosecutions by bodies where there is no independant investigation is a problem. Maintaining independance of Judges while arranging for greater communication between them that might highlite horrid anomolies such as the plethora of post office cases would be in my view a positive step. Fluidity within judicial rôles is an attractive idea. The LCJ is rightly supporting and defending judges as anyone at the top of a cohort must do. Making changes to the system to allow for more communication and fluidity between judicial rôles may be helpful improvements.

Explore the implications of Florida's new police legislation on civilian oversight and civil liberties. Analyze how HB 601 and SB 184 could reshape community-police relations and impact civil rights in Florida and beyond.

MS citizens deserve a fair and efficient judicial system. The Judiciary committees have been working on a plan to deliver this. The state has significant population and caseload disparities across the state. Modernizing our court system to make it more reasponsive to our system is a priority this session of the judiciary committees assigned this task. The link to the plan can be found in the comments. #msleg

Part 5, More on Caseload and on Criminal Appeals--NYCOA: The Wilson Uptick https://lnkd.in/e8FQcu62

Georgia's Judicial Circuits Need More Judges! Rising caseloads are straining our courts. Nine circuits are requesting additional judges due to: - Surging criminal cases - Stalled civil proceedings  - Overburdened judges This demand stems from population growth and increased crime across Georgia. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gWD3UtbU GLR strives to ensure a fair, balanced, and efficient civil justice system for all Georgians. #gapol #LawsuitReform #TortReform 

In recent years, the United States has witnessed a growing national conversation surrounding civil rights and criminal justice reform. Arizona, like many states, stands at a critical crossroads where these two important issues intersect. Smith & Green, Attorneys At Law, P.L.L.C., recognizes the significance of this junction and is committed to shedding light on the evolving landscape of civil rights and criminal justice reform in Arizona. #CivilRights #CriminalJusticeReform #ArizonaJustice #SmithAndGreenLaw