On Friday, August 23rd, JustLeadershipUSA (JLUSA) and the JustUS Coordinating Council convened a strategic session at the Birmingham Municipal Court Summit. The session brought together community leaders, advocates, and directly impacted individuals to discuss strategies for transforming municipal courts into engines of justice and equity.
JLUSA’s leadership team, along with members of the JustUS Coordinating Council, Stephanie Hicks, and Leading with Conviction™ 2020 graduate Betty Washington, presented their work on empowering individuals with lived experience in the criminal justice system to advocate for change. They highlighted the importance of authentic engagement with directly impacted communities and the need for community-centered solutions to systemic problems.
The session also focused on the disproportionate impact of fines and fees on marginalized communities and the strategies for creating more equitable court practices. The rate of occurrence of impact from fines and fees is nearly identical to the rate of impact from the criminal legal system in general with 1 in 3 individuals grappling with the damaging economic realities these systems cause. Participants discussed the potential for court reform to address these issues and create a more just and equitable justice system.
This strategic gathering was a significant step forward in the movement for economic mobility for directly impacted individuals, families, and communities. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, JLUSA and the JustUS Coordinating Council are working to build partnerships and advocate for policy and systems changes that prioritize equity and justice.