Gregory Pokorny的动态

Four years ago (while in prison) I convened a group of interested parties after securing the data that shows over 60% of people sentenced to a third strike are people of color - and at least one indigenous person (a close friend of mine named Daniel Haldane) was incorrectly listed as “white.” Melissa Lee and Jessica Levin did a masterful job in their report on this travesty, but let’s expand just a bit. After all, I was in prison when the three strikes law first failed to pass the legislature, and then came back as a people’s initiative. In the early 1990’s we had people who had previously been incarcerated under a parole model. Not just from Washington state, but all across the country. Many of those people had been sentenced and released under the parole model, for crimes such as murder, manslaughter, rape, and various other crimes that are NOW categorized as “serious violent offenses.” What that means is that under the parole model, people could commit crimes like that, get out, and commit again - potentially a handful of times. That is not true under the Sentencing Reform Act that went into effect in 1984. Under the SRA, if a person is convicted of more than one serious violent offense (such as rape and murder), that person will receive CONSECUTIVE sentences that would result in a 30+ year prison sentence - for which they serve 90% of. This translates to the FACT that under the SRA, a person cannot commit the types of offenses that were showcased in order to pass I593 more than twice - and a third time would automatically see them die in prison. Where the three strikes law fails the most is that people are not accumulating the SERIOUS violent offenses and then being struck out. They incur VIOLENT offenses and are struck out. They are being convicted of crimes that carry sentences of 80 months, with a third off they serve just over 4 years. These are the types of crimes and sentences that are being used as the basis to say: this person is so dangerous we cannot have them in the community. Not the crimes and criminal history that was used by fear mongerers in order to pass the three strikes law here in Washington. As a final point I would add that without bipartisan support in the legislature, the three strikes law cannot be repealed. The Washington State Supreme Court must strike down the three strikes law just like they did the death penalty - it is racist policy and must not be permitted to continue.

Our Protecting the Vote, Protecting Democracy virtual series continues next Wednesday, April 10, at 12:00 PM ET. Our expert panel will discuss the use of intimidation tactics - including hate crimes, voter threats, and political violence - to erode democracy. Which tactic do you think puts our #democracy in the most danger? We're extremely grateful for the time our incredible speakers are giving to NAWL: Leah C. Aden from the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Nadia N. A. from The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Moderating: Carla Castello from Babst Calland and Ami Gandhi from Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights. This event is the second part of a four-part series. All are free and exclusive to NAWL members. Join NAWL to attend. https://lnkd.in/gy4nCMYY If you registered for part one, you're automatically registered for the rest of the series. If you haven't joined us yet, don't worry - you can jump in at any part of the series! #NAWL125 #NAWL #WomeninLaw #VotingRights #law #legal #voterintimidation #intimidationtactics #voterthreats #virtualevent #lawyer #attorney #votersuppression

In our work to protect civil rights, we collaborate with Tennessee Innocence Project and Choosing Justice Initiative to secure freedom for those wrongfully convicted and to challenge unconstitutional sentences. https://bit.ly/BBS-ProBono #CelebrateProBono

As a grandparent, do you have legal rights to visitation or custody in North Carolina? Here's an overview of grandparents' rights in our state: https://lnkd.in/ezkxHUQ8

Justice Department Reopens Investigation into 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre More than 100 years after the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the Justice Department has reopened an investigation into this tragic event, marking a significant step toward revisiting one of the largest acts of racial violence in U.S. history. The massacre saw the destruction of “Black Wall Street” in Tulsa’s Greenwood District, where an armed white mob attacked a thriving Black community, killing an estimated 300 people and displacing thousands. Despite the scale of the massacre, no one was ever held accountable for these atrocities. The Justice Department is now examining the massacre through a modern lens, utilizing historical research and cutting-edge investigative methods to shed new light on the events that transpired and bring a deeper understanding of this cold case. The investigation is part of the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, which allows for the reopening of civil rights-related cold cases. At The Cold Case Foundation, we believe that time should never be a barrier to justice. While this investigation may not lead to criminal prosecutions, it’s about more than that—it’s about acknowledging the past, offering closure to descendants of survivors, and setting the historical record straight. Cold cases like this one are significant not only for their legal implications but for the emotional and social impact they carry. This investigation is a powerful reminder that justice is a long process, but with persistence, even the oldest cold cases can be revisited. The Tulsa Race Massacre is a painful chapter in American history, and revisiting it now offers an opportunity to finally acknowledge the truth.

Eliminating peremptory strikes would not eliminate racism in the jury selection process; it's been a misguided suggestion offered for many years when evidence of abuse surfaces. Arizona went ahead and has tried it, and as discussed recently at the American Society of Trial Consultants (ASTC) conference, other states are mulling the concept. But one issue that often goes overlooked: peremptory strikes are most frequently used as a check against judicial bias (judges are human too, after all). A judge does not grant a well-reasoned and well-documented cause challenge, what recourse does a party have if peremptory strikes are gone? https://lnkd.in/e8EBGvBt

?? Welcome again to On Scene: The Legal Screen! This time, we are talking about "The Trial of the Chicago 7". This powerful courtroom drama offers profound reflections on the intersection of law, politics, and social justice, sparking discussions about the enduring relevance of these issues today. The lessons we can learn from it include civil rights in protest, judicial impartiality, and the delicate balance of freedom of speech during turbulent times. "The Trial of the Chicago 7" vividly portrays the 1969 trial of activists charged with conspiracy and incitement to riot during the 1968 Democratic National Convention. Join the conversation—have you seen "The Trial of the Chicago 7"? Share your thoughts below! ?? Need legal defense in California? Don't hesitate to give us a call or send a message! ???? #TheTrialoftheChicago7 #LegalInsights #CivilRights #JudicialImpartiality #FreedomofSpeech #TheNievesLawFirm #OaklandAttorneys #CriminalDefense #LegalTips #Defense #Attorney #Lawyer #LegalScreen #LegalLessons

Joe Biden and AG NOT Enforcing America's Federal Civil Rights Statutes! This statute makes it unlawful to willfully cause bodily injury—or attempt to do so with fire, firearm, or other dangerous weapon—when 1) the crime was committed because of the actual or perceived race, colour, religion, national origin of any person, or 2) the crime was committed because of the actual or perceived religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability of any person and the crime affected interstate or foreign commerce or occurred within federal special maritime and territorial jurisdiction. The law also provides funding and technical assistance to state, local, and tribal jurisdictions to help them to investigate, prosecute, and prevent hate crimes more effectively. The law provides for a maximum 10–year prison term, unless death (or attempts to kill) results from the offense, or unless the offense includes kidnapping or attempted kidnapping, or aggravated sexual abuse or attempted aggravated sexual abuse. There is a seven-year statute of limitations for offences not resulting in death. For offences resulting in death, there is no statute of limitations. Title 18, U.S.C., Section 242 - Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law Title 18, U.S.C., Section 245 - Federally Protected Activities Title 18, U.S.C., Section 247 - Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996 Title 18, U.S.C., Section 248 - Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act Title 18, U.S.C., Section 844(h) - Federal Explosives Control Statute Title 42, U.S.C., Section 3631 - Criminal Interference with Right to Fair Housing Title 42, U.S.C., Section 14141 - Pattern and Practice Joe Biden has broken that oath of office and so has his Attorney General (AG) and the FBI, in my view and those of hundreds of millions of Americans and lawyers worldwide. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." Joe Biden took an Oath to protect and uphold the laws and civil rights of ALL Americans.?

Honoring and celebrating #Juneteenth today! More than just a date, it's a powerful moment in our history that marked the end of slavery in the U.S. Let's continue to educate, remember, and strive for equality and justice for all. ?????? #FreedomDay #Emancipation #BlackHistory #oaktreelawfirm #MNattorney #MNestateplanningattorney #MNimmigrationattorney #MNfamilylaw #estateplan #willsandtrusts #powerof attorney #healthcaredirectives #assetprotection #legacybuilding #familylegacy #MNmom #MNdad #immigrationlaw #familylaw #landlord #tenant

Empowering Victims: Understanding Your Rights in Arizona ?? Are you aware of the comprehensive rights afforded to victims of crime in Arizona? ?? In my latest article, I delve into the rights that empower victims and discuss the critical role of legal representation in navigating the complexities of the criminal system. From the right to be treated with dignity to the importance of having a voice in legal proceedings, learn how these provisions aim to support victims toward achieving justice and healing. ?? https://lnkd.in/grCpTB-m ?? If you or someone you know is navigating this challenging path, reach out. Let's ensure these rights are more than just words on paper.