Brothers in Law Podcast

Brothers in Law Podcast

por Imani Waweru

Gobierno Política

Temporada 1

Driving While Black: A Way To Protect Yourself When Pulled Over

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Paulina Bryan. Paulina is the founder of the Live Lawyer App. And a mother and wife, Paulina Bryan is an advocate for mothers of murdered children. Inspired by her son Jordan Bryan, she invented the Live Lawyer App. Her son, Jordan Bryan, purchased a car and kept being pulled over by police. He called his mom and would complain about being pulled over and not knowing what to say. Paulina replied: "Too bad you couldn't Skype a lawyer." This is how the idea of how the Live Lawyer App was created. Unfortunately, Jordan was murdered on April 17th of 2016. The mission of the app is to ensure people know their legal rights in their time of need. In this episode, Paulina shares her story. Hopefully after this episode, you will be inspired to find ways to respond to the the harms and injustices that plague our criminal legal system

Why Confess If You Are Innocent: The Truth About False Confessions

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Jeffrey. In 1990, at the age of 17, he was wrongfully convicted of raping, beating, and strangling his high school classmate. Jeffrey made a false confession that was immediately withdrawn, but became the basis for his conviction. He served 16 years, some in an adult "super max" as a minor, while maintaining his innocence. He requested post-conviction DNA testing, but the DA's office who refused to accept his request. In 2006, crime scene DNA testing led to proving that he was innocent, and the led to the man who was actually responsible for the murder. In 2014. Jeffrey won a federal civil suit against the county for wrongful imprisonment. He went on to become an attorney and an advocate for reform of the criminal justice system. He educates the public through public speaking, published articles, and the Jeffrey Deskovic Foundation for Justice, which he established. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of just how flawed our criminal legal system is, particularly with respect to how police routinely coerce false confessions.

Bad Apple or Bad Tree: A Discussion About Law Enforcement in America

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by Roland Font. Roland is a twenty-five year highly trained Law Enforcement professional. He currently works as a New York State Court Officer. Additionally, Roland works as a Disaster Response Volunteer and an Independent Security Contractor. Roland shares his story and explains how he ended up pursuing a career in law enforcement. They discuss how race informs the ways in which he carries out his responsibilities. Roland describes both the challenges and rewards that come along with his job. They briefly address the history of policing in America and how it impacts people today. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the nuances involving race, crime, and law enforcement.

It's Levels to This - A Lesson on Police Encounters

On this episode, Conrad and Imani talk about the law of police encounters as it pertains to New York. Are the police allowed to approach you and ask for your ID? Are the police allowed to ask you for your name, where are you going, and where are you coming from? What happens if the police violate your rights? What should you do if the police engage with you in an unlawful manner? The answers to those questions are complicated and nuanced. Imani and Conrad provide surface level answers and guidance to these circumstances. The information provided in this episode is not legal advice. Rather, it’s an introduction to some of the laws that address police conduct. Hopefully after this episode, you will have a better understanding of what the police are allowed to do, how you should respond, and how it plays out in court.

Closed Mouths Don't Get Fed - The Power of Labor Organizing

On this episode, Conrad and Imani are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Urooj Khan. Urooj shares her journey to becoming a public defender. She believes that public defenders must understand who they are at their core in order to do this work. They discuss the Scottsboro Boys and the role of communists and labor lawyers in the fight for against anti-Black racism. The talk about the importance of unions generally and also with respect to public defense. Hopefully, after this episode you will leave understanding the power that workers yield, the importance of unionizing, and have more insight into the nature and challenges of public defense.

Family Matters

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Janae. Janae works as a supervising attorney in the Family Defense Practice. They discuss some of the collateral consequences as it pertains to your family that arise when someone is arrested. Janae explains how certain arrests can trigger the involvement of child protective services. She also shares how an arrest can result in family court proceedings that can lead to losing custody of your child. Hopefully, after this episode you will know a little more about how your family can be affected by an arrest.

Pushing P (Policy) - The Intersection of Policy and Criminal Law

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Brother in Law, Eli Northrup. Eli is a public defender in the Bronx and the Policy Director for the Criminal Defense Practice. They talk about the intersection of policy and criminal defense. They explore the ways in which the legalization of marijuana in New York is different from other states. Eli tells the story of Shamika Crawford and describes how her case changed the landscape of orders of protection in New York City. Lastly, Eli is running to serve as Assembly Member for the 69th District in New York City and he shares his platform and vision for his community. Hopefully, after this episode you will know a little more about how you can fight to change the laws that impact our everyday lives.

Public Pretenders

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Brothers in Law, Tyriek and Jamaal. They discuss the stereotypes of public defenders and share the ways in which they are sometimes valid and other times unwarranted. They talk about their experiences with racism and discrimination as Black male public defenders. Hopefully, after this episode you will better understand some of the challenges and rewards of this work.

ICE, ICE, BABY: The Intersection of Criminal and Immigration Law

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Brother in Law, Jorge. Jorge works as a public defender in the Immigration Defense Practice. Specifically, among other services, he represents those in need of deportation defense in Immigration Court removal proceedings. They discuss some of the immigration collateral consequences that arise when someone is arrested. Jorge explains how being arrested and/or being convicted can affect a citizenship application, result in removal proceedings, and lead to a milieu of negative consequences. Jorge shares the ways in which ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) has impacted people, particularly when fighting a criminal case. Hopefully, after this episode you will know a little more about how contact with the criminal system can affect immigrant communities.

A Voice for the Voiceless: The Power of the Jury

In this episode, Imani and Conrad are joined by their fellow Sister in Law, Porsha. Porsha works as a supervising attorney in the Criminal Defense Practice. They discuss the value and importance of Black and Brown people participating in jury duty. Porsha explains what “Jury Nullification” is and shares how it should be used as a tool for abolishing the prison industrial complex. Porsha breaks down the difference between accountability and punishment as it pertains to our criminal legal system. Hopefully, after this episode you will be empowered to be on a jury and nullify the law. In other words…FREE THEM ALL!

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