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Every Monday at 9:00amAbout the Show
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.
Warrant Clinics and A Personal Story Of Being Arrested On A Warrant
Warrants are issued when citizens do not show up for court dates or pay fines and fees related to traffic violations, codes violations and for fugitives from criminal prosecution. In some jurisdictions additional fines and fees are incurred when a warrant is issued. This is sometimes a devastating economic hit for those that are living paycheck to paycheck and often sends people to payday loan offices or leads to loss of a job or housing. Some jurisdictions have been holding warrant amnesty days where a citizen can come in and take care of any fines and fees they may owe without incurring new fines.
Host Teresa Wilke talks with Jamee McClairen, a young woman from Leavenworth, KS, who experienced first hand the common problem of outstanding fines and warrants. Then Teresa speaks with Ronald Johnson, Municipal Court Judge and Rebecca Dietrick, Court Administrator for the City of Grandview MO, which has offered Warrant Amnesty days in the past, feels it works for the city and the citizen and plans to continue.
The Pretrial Justice Institute
The American system of bail is fundamentally incapable of doing the job we expect from it. Those with money—regardless of where they got the money or their danger to the community or victims—can purchase their freedom while poor defendants remain in jail pending trial, sometimes waiting more than a year behind bars. The Pretrial Justice Institute has come up with eight recommendations that will help jurisdictions move from resource-based to risk-based bail decision-making process. These recommendations are designed to allow for more informed decision-making at each phase in the pretrial process, from first contact with law enforcement through adjudication. These recommendations require the support of all those involved in the criminal justice system.
Pretrial risk assessment
Pretrial supervision & monitoring
Citation in lieu of arrest
Elimination of bond schedules
Screening of criminal cases by an experienced prosecutor
Presence of defense counsel at initial appearance
Availability of detention with due process
Collection & analysis of performance measures
Host Craig Lubow talks with Cherise Fanno Burdeen, Chief Executive Officer of The Pretrial Justice Institute about their research and programs that are meant to reduce pretrial incarceration and help the working poor avoid an economic disaster because of minor charges.
The Pretrial Justice Institute
7361 Calhoun Place, Suite 215
Rockville, MD 20855
Phone: (240) 477-7152
Website – http://www.pretrial.org/
JoJR Calendar of Events
The Kansas City Chapter of Missourian’s For Altenatives to the Death Penalty will meet Tuesday, May 1st from 6:30 to 8pm at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO.
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The Occupation of The American Mind, a film about the American Press unwillingness to cover the Palestinian side of the issues and actions dividing Israelis and Palestinians in Israel. This film and panel discussion is sponsored by Citizens for Justice in the Middle East and will show at 6:15 PM, Thursday May 3rd at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, KCMO.
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The Missouri Poor People’s Campaign and Stand Up KC will be holding Civil Disobedience Training Tuesday, May 3rd, 6 to 8 PM at St Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3800 Troost Ave, KCMO. You can join them as they learn non-violent civil disobedience to advance the campaign’s demands to end “the triple evils” of racism, economic exploitation, and militarism. They will train and learn how to effectively wield non-violence as a weapon for making the moral, economic, and political changes America so desperately needs.
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The Kansas City Chapter of Empower Missouri’s First Friday Forum will be Friday, May 4th 11:30am – 1:00pm at the Westport Flea Market, 817 Westport Rd, KCMO. This month’s forum is TIF for TAT Who Benefits? Guest speakers Councilwoman Alissa Canaday, Jan Parks of the Coalition for Kansas City Economic Development Reform and Bruce Eddy, executive director of the Community Mental Health Fund will discuss the good and bad effects of tax increment financing.
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The KC Area Chapter of Parents of Murdered Children and Other Survivors of Homicide will hold their monthly meeting May 4th, beginning at 7:30 PM at Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 2552 Gillham Road, KCMO. POMC meets to provide support and assistance through on-going emotional support, education, prevention, advocacy and awareness to all survivors of homicide victims.
