Education is definitely key and there are local grassroots organizations people can find in their area that focus on transforming the criminal justice system that can help them get involved locally. While I was working to free them, they were freeing me, too. MV: How can how can people get involved and help bring justice to people serving unfair prison sentences? [7], In 2016, she stopped practicing corporate law and began to take the cases of nonviolent drug offenders full-time, taking advantage of a policy under President Barack Obama's administration that came to be known as the clemency initiative. When the crack epidemic hit, it wasnt treated like a public health crisis. First, a conviction for possession of cocaine, marijuana and a weapon. Practice Areas: None Reported By Attorney. She wrote a best-selling book, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom, which she hopes will open a window for the world to see that her clients are human beings just like any other. When we think about the crack epidemic or the war on drugs, we think about New York or Oakland, but not the South. The Dallas Cowboys Used to Sell NFL Dynasties. U.S. District Judge Jorge Solis ultimately calculated her sentence to be 46 years without parole, effectively a life sentence. Only two of us. 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm. On Jan. 20, 2021, he walked out a free man. [22] In response to the decision, Barnett said "The presidents mercy and belief in redemption literally saved Coreys life. That thought reoccurred every single day for over 3,000 days, but I pushed it out of my mind. Cyndi Brown Before she specialized in getting people out of prison, Brittany K. Barnett was a young girl living in a wooden house in Fulbright, Texas.. Brittany K. Barnett. The Photo the Dallas Cowboys Never Wanted the Public to See, Nolan Ryan Threw as Hard as He Could for as Long as He Could. Its lost some of its innocence. Sometimes we can be one-dimensional in how we create change, and I want to be a part of change that isnt just about capital or policy. Learn more here: https://www.penguinran. While I was working to free them, they were freeing me, too. Her tirelesswork hasfreednumerous individuals from overly harsh sentences imposed by draconian federal drug laws, including seven clients who received executive clemency from President Obama. The -born attorney and criminal justice reform advocate expert is arguably the worlds most influential Brittany K. Barnett is expert, with a wide-ranging social media outreach. She didnt get the help she needed. TM: On social media, youve been candid about the struggles youve faced getting funding for your organization, Buried Alive. Ms. Bishop appears in several documentaries, two TEDx talks, and the CBS 48 Hours segment Road to Redemption. She is the author of a memoir, Change of Heart: Justice, Mercy and Making Peace with My Sisters Killer and the recently released Grace from the Rubble: Two Fathers Road to Reconciliation After the Oklahoma City Bombing. She was set to never breathe free air again, and she was the one encouraging me. also know about her Social media accounts i.e. The light at the end of the tunnel just became really, really bright, said Barnett. [7] While in law school, Barnett completed internships with the Honorable Nancy F. Atlas in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and with the Honorable Rene H. Toliver in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Policies at the time allowed the judge to add "enhancements" to her sentence, including her legal license to carry a concealed weapon credited as "furtherance of drug conspiracy," her testimony in her own defense credited as "obstruction of justice," and weight conversion of powder cocaine to crack cocaine (which carried higher sentences). TM: The East Texas you describe is so idyllic, and its clear you grew up in one of those tight-knit communities where people looked after one another. All Rights Reserved. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. There are so many forms of trauma I never realized were happening to me, my family and my community. Michelle McKinney Hammond, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Dyani Neves, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Relationship, Height, Christian Blogger, Elly Morillo, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, News 12, Wanya Reese, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Spouse, Salary, Height, 13MWAZ, Natalie Kalibat, Wikipedia, Bio, Age, Husband, Height, Salary, Diver. But Sharanda's case opened the door to a harrowing journey through the criminal justice system. Cody and Barnett are two parts of The Decarceration Collective, whose mission is to release non-violent offenders, unjustly imprisoned due to harsh and cruel drug laws. But it is, at its heart, hopeful, offering a way forward from the painful realities it illuminates. These are nonviolent drug offenses. Some of the most brilliant people Ive met in my life are my clients. Primary Practice Location: Dallas , Texas. She didnt get the help she needed. More recently, she was part of the legal team that helped secure clemency from President Trump for Alice Johnson. 201, Evanston, IL 60201 Contact Us. That is not the same for Brittany K Barnett. I decided there was nothing more urgent than freedom. Family Action Network (FAN) is a 501(c)(3) organization that curates a high-quality speaker series each academic year. During this time, an unlikely supporter came to Youngs defense Kevin Sharp, the same judge who sentenced him to jail years ago,advocated for Chriss release. Its much more subtle, and even though you dont hear about it on the news, families are still being destroyed. He was the perfect example of what bothered me about the job, Sharp said. BKB: The culprit was the 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act that implemented this 100-to-1 sentencing ratio between crack and powder cocaine that punished crack much more severely and implemented mandatory minimums. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? In her riveting debut,A Knock at Midnight:A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom,Ms. Barnett sharesthe powerful story of her awakening to the inhumanity of Americas criminal justice system and her ongoing fight to unlock the human potential trapped senselessly behind bars. Thank you, Have you picked up a copy of the November 2022 Iss. Barnett is from Texas. Also, help by voting and getting involved in not just national elections, but local elections that have a huge impact as well. BKB: The transition was one of a lot of uncertainty. Then at 19,another conviction,for possession of less than half a gram of cocaine and marijuana. Commerce. And it looks different here. There are so many forms of trauma I never realized were happening to me, my family and my community. Just over two hours northeast of Dallas, this tiny, pastoral hamlet was home to 150 people who all knew one another. Her mother was a crack cocaine addict. Named after the purest love Brittany has ever known, her grandmother Lena, Milena Reign cultivates content and talent from two special groups: (1) those directly impacted by the criminal justice system and (2) those from Brittany's beloved South - helping them lean into their gifts of storytelling to inspire the world. They are responsible. Dallas, TX 75204-2335. That organization is based in Dallas and we work to empower girls whose mothers are in prison. [11], In early 2019, Barnett and MiAngel Cody (founder of and lead counsel for The Decarceration Collective law office & consultancy) started the 90 Days to Freedom campaign, a push to release nonviolent drug offenders from life sentences. His story made national headlines and the media attention caught the eye of Barnett. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Barnett ultimately ditched a career in corporate law to represent nonviolent drug offenders full-time. entrepreneur. In Bogota, where my grandparents lived, opioids and meth have taken over. "[28] The case led to Trump's support of the First Step Act,[29] which, among other things, retroactively applies the Fair Sentencing Act and increases the number of good conduct time credits prisoners receive. Barnet was born on February 24, 1984. I knew my mom had a drug problem, but I didnt realize she had a disease. And I was in prison in my mind and my neighborhood before I went to prison, said Young. His windows are never open. It implemented the 100-to-1 ratio that was arbitrary and had no rational basis other than that its no secret that more affluent white people were using powder cocaine at the time and crack cocaine was running rampant through Black communities. I was witnessing mass incarceration at its height and could not help but be affected.. Universal Studios Is Coming to Frisco. Brittany K. Barnett is an American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Now They Sell Drama. I really wanted the South to shine in the book. It used to be that doors unlocked, windows wide open part of Texas I talk about in the book, but I know my dad, for example, is always in fear of having his home broken into. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides support for girls with mothers in prison. "[20] USA Today included it on its list of 5 books not to miss for the week of September 5, 2020. She was arrested and sentenced to 8 years in prison for failing to attain sobriety during probation. When youre in it, you dont see how bad it is. From a pen gun to a gun shoved inside a raw chicken, TSA says it found a record number of firearms in carry-on bags last year. At the age of 19 years, Brittany K. Barnett weight not available right now. The 1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act passed with little to no legislative history. the Mortal Mustache, a.k.a. [8] she is a Practitioner-in-Residence at Southern Methodist University's Deason Family Criminal Justice Reform Center. And its all because of these misguided appeals for law and order under this failed War on Drugs. 0. Has that changed with the great reception youve received for this book? Under the federal Three Strike law, defendants receive mandatory life imprisonment without the possibility of parole if they have three federal convictions for serious violent felonies or crimes related to drug trafficking. TM: In A Knock at Midnight, you talk about how writing letters to your mother in prison helped you process what you were feeling about her incarceration. And then when he left, quite frankly, there was a period of time in January of 2017, where I was like, what the hell did I do? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [1] She grew up in an environment close to drug culture. Brittany K.s income mostly comes from and basic source is being a successful American attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. They understand that. But shed be telling me to get back to work, telling me we could do this, that we could get her free. But as you see in the book, the war on drugs was hitting us hard, and as a kid, that was hard to see. Heres What We Want at the Park. Along with two of her clients, Sharanda Jones and Corey Jacobs, both of whom were serving life sentences without the possibility of parole before receiving clemency, Barnett co-founded the Buried Alive Project, a nonprofit that helps people like Jones and Jacobs. As I was writing, I started to wonder, Do we ever really process this? Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defender's Office and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. By day Brittany moved billion-dollar deals, and by night she worked pro bono to free clients in nearly hopeless legal battles. MV: Thats an incredible level of disproportion. [2], On June 19, 2019, Barnett and Cody launched the Third Strike Project, which focuses on a separate provision of the First Step Act that allows inmates convicted in crack cocaine cases to retroactively be eligible for consideration to receive reduced sentences. The Buried Alive Project works to dismantle life without parole sentences handed down under federal drug laws. She is an activist attorney, criminal justice advocate, and author whose purpose is to give people hope, justice, and freedom. New, A Knock at Midnight: A Story of Hope, Justice, and Freedom. But her passion led her down a different path, and she began helping people serving life sentences seek clemency under an Obama-era reform program. Barnett is also the founder of Girls Embracing Mothers, a non-profit organization that provides suppo Attorney And Criminal Justice Reform Advocate, Djimy Alexis Wiki, Biography, Age, Family, NetWorth & Know More, attorney and criminal justice reform advocate. Through her criminal justice work, Brittany has encountered some of the most brilliant minds humanity has to offer. This dream, however, had faded by the time she was in high school because there was no lawyer to look up to in her home area. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. The lack of funding has been extremely frustrating, because were really trying to save lives, and were struggling for funding. Age: 37. You know, it just shows that we have a lot more work to do, said Barnett. More inside. Its beyond legitimate debate at this point that the system bleeds with racial injustice and to know that there are so many more Chris Youngs that are still buried alive and in need of their freedom as well. Most people think of prisoners as people unworthy of compassion or love. More empathy, whether it be just in the judicial system or whether it be in every area of hospitality.. At 22, her mother was sentenced to eight years for failing a series of drug tests while on probation. Regardless, Barnet maintained a close relationship with her after she was released. [16] Following her win, she partnered with Barnett in representing and successfully litigating the release of Alfred Rivera after serving 18 years of a life sentence for non-violent drug offenses. Brittany K Barnett Age, Family, and Husband Barnet was born on February 24, 1984. The first step for policymakers and decision makers is to acknowledge that its been an utter failure. Your email address will not be published. With every freedom we secure, were pushing forward a movement of people and power and dignity that is going to have a ripple effect on anyone they may positively impact in the future.. She advocated for President Donald Trump to help get Young out of jail. It seemed like an accepted part of life, like, This is just the way it is. It wasnt until I got to college that I realized how powerful it was. Thats what we need more in this world, more love, more compassion, said Young. BKB: Over 80% of people in federal prison for drugs today are black and brown. Texas Monthly: What was it like to grow up in East Texas? This was bigger than Kim Kardashian. [9] She is also a board member of the ORIX Foundation. After submitting her paper, Joness case plagued Barnett, and she wrote to Jones offering her assistance; the women began corresponding through email. Brittany K. Barnett is an award-winning attorney and entrepreneur focused on social impact investing. This work has been her focus since then. She shares stories of the innovation languishing in America's prisons -- and a vision for investing in people whose unjust sentences . What kind of impact do you see that having culturally and on society in general? In the book, you see the positivity of Sharanda Jones (a woman from Terrell). Mandatory minimum sentences forced judges to dole out extreme punishments for crack cocaine possession, disproportionately affecting Black Americans. They have to let people go home if they meet the criteria. As the daughter of a formerly incarcerated mother, Brittany knows first-hand the impact of mass incarceration is far reaching, devastating families and entire communities. Two of her clients, Corey Jacobs and Sharanda Jones, now work along side Barnett in the organization. lawyer. Barnett attended The University of Texas at Arlington, earning a bachelors degree in 2005 and a masters degree in 2006 in accounting. Required fields are marked *. "[7] After graduation, she worked for accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as a CPA,[8] and studied for her LSAT. We have people serving life sentences today for marijuana and other drug offenses. Youngs journey behind bars began when he was just 18-years-old. But shed be telling me to get back to work, telling me we could do this, that we could get her free. Youngs story caught the eye of Kim Kardashian. Ms. Barnett will be interviewed by Jeanne Bishop, assistant public defender in the Cook County Public Defenders Office and adjunct professor at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. The U.S. Conference of Mayors will address the nations immigration crisis Wednesday. I wanted it to shine in a way that hasnt been done. While researching a paper on how race impacted sentencing for her Critical Race Theory class, she came across the case of Sharanda Jones, a woman who had been sentenced to life without parole for a first-time, non-violent drug offense. Texas Footballs Greatest Rivalry Will ReturnBut at What Cost? But Im not playing those games anymore. Even with all of that, I still love East Texas. She credits her mothers own incarceration with teaching her that persons in prison were often treated as unworthy of any compassion or concern. After graduation, she worked for accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers as a CPA, and studied for her LSAT. [18] On August 29, 2019, rapper Pusha T released the song "Coming Home" with singer Lauryn Hill to bring awareness to the Third Strike Project. Brittany K. Barnett & MiAngel Cody are two black female lawyers working hard behind-the-scenes to free non-violent offenders who have been buried alive with massive prison sentences. Note: Event start time is Central Time (CT). Her organization has received funding and endorsement from television personality Kim Kardashian West. We need the laws to change, for sure, but we need change thats more than that. 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