Tag Archives: Trayvon Martin

April 13, 2012 · 11:59 AM

Zimmerman is THE high profile case of the moment- AND???

Seminole County JailThe shooting death of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman illustrates everything that is wrong with our criminal justice system. From the looks of it we have a young man who is dead and another being held in Seminole County Florida County Jail. We also have very few facts other than that. It seems that it took an extraordinary long time to arrest Zimmerman. And we have a “special prosecutor” no less.

Now we have a media circus. From lawyers giving press conferences about Zimmerman who never may have represented him to the Special Prosecutor herself giving a lengthy and rather cheerful one. Never a good idea. Then we have Zimmerman’s new lawyer Mark O’Mara who specializes in criminal defense work AND DIVORCE- WHATTTTTTTTTT? That combo is what is wrong here. A case as serious as this needs specialists; not wanna be media stars. As I have stated, every defense lawyer I know wanted to jump in a represent Zimmerman. Not because they were going to be paid a lot but because they wanted their TV Time!

Factually it looks like another over charge just like we had in the Casey Anthony case. This may have been done to answer some political and media pressure. Never a good idea to overcharge if you have a weak case. Friday Zimmerman lawyer O’Mara will ask for bond at a special hearing. He has also asked that judge Jessica Recksiedler be replaced. Should bond be granted we will really see every crazy coming out of the woodwork? Maybe even our favorite bounty hunter! Yikes.

This is obviously a high profile case and we must begin to separate fact from fiction. Who are the key players, did they have records, did they ever encounter each other before and did something else happen that night? Also, we need to keep people away from this case who simply want to turn it into a racial issue. It may be partly racial and it may be fully. We just do not know yet. But, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson mixing up trouble is the worst thing they can be doing right now. Unfortunately, this is their pattern and one that never advances their community very far.

Trayvon Martin’s mother even stated on television that she thought this was an accident. However, moments later she recanted and went on to read an obviously staged statement. Who wrote it? AL Sharpton? My advice to everybody is to keep quiet for now if you really want to see justice done. But, I fear we will see Zimmerman and his team selling interviews and pictures just like we saw Casey Anthony do when she was out on bond. Really media? Just don’t pay for that garbage.

Lastly, I see many “experts” talking about what it is like for Zimmerman right now. Please- here are the facts as I work with people inside prisons and those coming out for a living. I even prep people on how to stand strong during a trial and how their family should behave, as it is a very stressful time. Zimmerman is being held in Protective Custody by the Seminole County Jail. He is inmate 201200004452. Protective Custody is for his own good as he may face harm in the general population. Anthony and others have been held in what we call PC.

So, now it is time to let the system begin to play out while we all watch and draw our own conclusions. I urge everyone to see what the evidence says at trial before rushing to judgment. I will be watching and talking about this case too. Stay tuned…

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert and legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today, CBS Early Show to Fox News and Nancy Grace. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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Filed under bail, Casey Anthony, Criminal Justice, George Zimmerman, Prison Consulting, Prison conultants, Trayvon Martin

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April 8, 2012 · 11:25 AM

Judgment is a tale as old as time. And it KILLS…

Yes, we live in a world of pre-conceived notions. We judge people and we are judged. This is not a politically correct thing to say, but it is true. SO what??? Get over this and learn from it. This is why I work in criminal justice and why it works for me. When I work with clients, speak at youth groups or appear in media, people are still shocked that I speak the PRISON LINGO.

The truth of the matter is that I have a platform in part because I do not look like what we expect prison and crime to look like. In fact, often when I speak I must remind people that I was actually Federal Prison property at one time. Do they forget because I speak well, have a sense of humor or because I have blonde hair? All of the above. Judgment is a fact of life that if we accept we can learn from and use to our advantage. I like nothing more than to flip the switch and drop the “P” bomb on people when they least expect it. That is one way I know what is motivating them to be around me.

Judgment- Yes, we all do it…the key is to make it work for you. I use my access to shine the light on our incarceration nation and to offer solutions. This is not always an easy task and more often than not I am met with skepticism and denial. We can make a difference and we can change lives. But, we must acknowledge reality.

The current case of Trayvon Martin illustrates this all to well. It is the saddest of sad and all that is wrong with our criminal justice system, and why we must confront these issues and take a stand. Are the police wrong? The District Attorney? Are we ready to change our gun laws? Is racism really at play here? Probably a little of all of this and more. What I do know is that nothing is gained by pretending that the judgments in this case are not significant.

I challenge anybody who is using this case and others solely for their own media “ego” to think about the most important word in criminal justice- CONSEQUENCES.  I teach my clients this everyday, and I also live it. Crime is ugly- judgment is ugly, yet we are stalled. Stalled by stigma and stalled by what to do with people who are a part of our criminal justice system. Stalled by judgment. Let’s all try a little harder to understand fact from fiction and leave the judges to those who are paid to do it.

If we take a stand with conviction than we are making a difference. The fact of the matter is that much is wrong with our criminal justice system.  What system actually? We have a Hodge podge of laws and punishments. Some states now call their Department of Corrections- Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. That’s a start. Now we need the rehabilitation component. That will come when we understand the judgments, offer programs and job assistance. For now remember that change is possible. What you may think about a situation may not be accurate. Take time to understand all sides and then reconsider.

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert and legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeared on shows from Today to Fox News. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

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Filed under Criminal Justice, Federal Prison, prepare for jail, prison coaching, Trayvon Martin

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March 22, 2012 · 6:14 PM

Caylee Anthony and Trayvon Martin- Wake up Florida!

Surprise, surprise. Casey Anthony has found religion… Casey Anthony has managed to get herself back into the news yet again. This time the website Radar Online ran an “exclusive” story that Casey has found religion. Of course! This often happens when people are in prison or on probation but Casey manages to make it all about her. So much for the wonderful therapy she is supposed to be receiving.

As we all know, Antony is on formal probation and must check in with her probation officer once a month in person. She also is required to have a job and/or attend school. In typical Anthony fashion she is “attending” online courses. And yet, the interesting thing is that she appears to be paying her bills and in good standing with her probation officer. How is this possible? Let’s not forget that she has IRS liens and owes the State of Florida money for the investigation into the death of her daughter Caylee. Is she paying these debts- NO. But, she is paying her Internet provider.

What is wrong with law enforcement in Florida? First, there was the weak and flawed investigation and then the Probation error! The people of Florida should demand better. Sad to say but now the Casey Anthony case is not the most famous case in Florida. Sadly we now have the murder of Trayvon Martin. That is yet another botched investigation. Enough is enough. How many children need to die? Yes, this is Florida where Adam Walsh was murdered in the 1970’s. In that case his father, John Walsh, became a one-man crusade to stop child abuse and other violent crimes. We must all learn from him and use Casey Anthony the way she uses the media and us. Use her to shine the light on child abuse and neglect. FIVE children die everyday in the United States from abuse or neglect. Five children we did not protect.

Hundreds of people have sent letters to the U.S. Attorney and FBI about the Casey Anthony case, and thousands have signed a petition through change.org. There is also a wealth of information on The Caylee Daily. We must make changes to our criminal justice system, and we must speak out. We need Equal Justice and we need it now. This is not the time for mistakes or sloppy behavior. Now is the time for change. After all, this is an election year and the time to demand more. Call your local representative and visit Childhelp.org to learn how to prevent child abuse.

Wendy Feldman is a criminal justice expert and legal coach. She is available for private consultation on how to prepare for a successful incarceration, probation and re-entry. She is also available for media commentary and has appeard on shows from Today to Fox News. She may be reached at wendy@custodialcoaching.com. 

Follow@incarcervetion

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Filed under Casey Anthony, Caylee Anthony, Chris Brown, prepare for jail, probation, Trayvon Martin

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