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Jaws of Justice Radio
It is the intention of Jaws of Justice Radio to investigate how to achieve justice in America, this includes issues of economic injustice, political injustice and the criminal justice system. We want to put a human face on those caught in the grasp of injustice and those that are part of an unjust system. We strive to dispel the misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system.
Mary Fox of St. Louis, Missouri, took office to serve as director of the Missouri State Public Defender System on January 10, 2020.
The Missouri State Public Defender System has been in crisis for decades — underfunded and overburdened. The American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri filed a class action lawsuit to limit the number of work week hours required of public defenders. A system of waitlists limited the number of client meetings each Public Defender held in each work week. The ACLU filed a new lawsuit in February to end the use of waitlists and alleged there are more than 4,600 people waiting for public defense counsel across the state of Missouri, with 600 of them sitting in jails. Despite the waitlist, public defenders still feel overwhelmed.
Another possible solution has been proposed for the chronic crisis in the public defender system: change the way cases are prosecuted.
People-centered approaches to keeping non-violent offenders out of the criminal justice system would help the Public Defender’s office use its limited resources.
https://publicdefender.mo.gov/
After the murder of her son, Corey Laykovich, Michelle Metje founded “Corey’s Network” as a way to support the families of homicide victims. “You either move forward or stand still,” said Metje, who founded a Kansas, City Missouri nonprofit dedicated to the families of homicide victims. Metje and her husband, Bob Norris, were stunned by the lack of organized support available to families in their situation. With Corey’s Network, Metje devoted her career to helping others through the greatest loss imaginable for a family. In addition to referral services and a 24-hour hotline, the Network hosts a weekly Survivor’s Workshop – a 10-week seminar featuring guest speakers with guidance on how to deal with the media, interact with law enforcement during open investigations, and navigate the judicial system.
Corey’s Network has a big function coming up. Stay tuned to hear the details!
https://www.facebook.com/CoreysNetwork.org/
Calendar of Events 7-6-20
In compliance with the latest version of Mayor Lucas’s emergency order, certain business activities may resume while ensuring necessary public health measures remain in place. See the FAQS at kcmo.gov.
- Corey’s Network will have an upcoming event on July 24 They will be on next to tell us about it, stay tuned! Check their website: coreysnetwork.org or phone 816-866-7868.
- Missourians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty will not have a meeting for July. There will be a meeting the first Monday in August. Contact MADP.org or on Facebook for more information.
- MORE² Missouri Issues2Action Night will be Mon, July 6, 6:00 – 7:30 PM at Trinity United Methodist Church, 620 E Armour Blvd, Kansas City, MO. Call 816-277-5912 or email [email protected] for more information.
- Wednesday, July 8th. Let’s Get Trivial for Harvesters: 7-8:45 PM, Online event. Harvesters – The Community Food Network asks us to join them for an evening of pop culture, general knowledge, and Harvesters trivia! It’s free for anyone to participate. Go to harvesters.org for details.
- WED July 8th, 6 – 7:30 PM Court Watch Training, an Online Event will be hosted by ACLU of Missouri. The ACLU of Missouri’s Court Watch program and volunteers keep our courts accountable and make our criminal justice system more transparent, more rigorous, and more equitable. Email [email protected] for more information.
- KS/Johnson County Moms Demand Action for gun sense in America will meet by Phone via Zoom from your home on Thursday, July 9, 6:30 PM. You can get log in details at momsdemandaction online. All are welcome.
- Empower Missouri will have a smart sentencing coalition call Friday, 7/1 from 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM. Go to empowermissouri.org for dial in info.
- Mothers of Incarcerated Sons & Daughters will have their monthly meeting JOIN us at Plexpod Westport Commons centrally located on busline, easy to find at 300 E. 39th St KCMO (Annex A) meeting room with convenient parking and much more. Sessions start at Noon until 2 PM on July 11. Check details at misdkc.org or on Facebook at kcmisd.
- A list of services, meals, and hot lines are available at lawrenceprogressivecalendar.blogspot.com. It is updated daily.
Please take care of yourselves and others. Thanks to all our listeners, stay close to your dial and stay well!
Please listen to Jaws of Justice next week to learn more about gun violence prevention initiatives and the actions of Mothers of Incarcerated Sons and Daughters.
