State Court Program/Hate Crime Diversion
At the end of 2020, we were contacted by the Los Angeles City Attorney's Office. The prosecutors were looking for an innovative response to an LGBTQ hate crime.
The crime had been captured on video and gone viral, which deeply impacted the SoCal queer community. Everyone directly and indirectly involved was hoping for justice that would feel truly just.
However, justice in this matter was proving even more elusive than usual.
The unique circumstances of the case, combined with the dramatic impact the pandemic was having on the courts, jails, and prisons, created a sense of dread that this case would indefinitely continue to perpetuate harm.
Instead, an agreement was reached by the defendant, the defense attorney, the prosecutors, as well as the victims/survivors, to allow ALIGHT the opportunity to create & deliver a transformative program designed to meet the needs of all involved.
The program was ordered by the court to begin on February 1, 2021.
Carlos Meza acted as the lead facilitator while another program graduate, Senoj Jones, graced us by serving as the surrogate survivor in this remarkable restorative program, which has been highly praised by the judge, the prosecutors, the defense attorney – and most importantly, the defendant and the survivors have described the program as a “true miracle.”
We are using this miraculously effective and healing model as we continue creating alternatives to incarceration that support survivors of crime. Defense attorneys and prosecutors have found this to be an answer to a long unmet need. And we are committed to bringing healing and transformation to all of our systems and the people impacted by them.
The crime had been captured on video and gone viral, which deeply impacted the SoCal queer community. Everyone directly and indirectly involved was hoping for justice that would feel truly just.
However, justice in this matter was proving even more elusive than usual.
The unique circumstances of the case, combined with the dramatic impact the pandemic was having on the courts, jails, and prisons, created a sense of dread that this case would indefinitely continue to perpetuate harm.
Instead, an agreement was reached by the defendant, the defense attorney, the prosecutors, as well as the victims/survivors, to allow ALIGHT the opportunity to create & deliver a transformative program designed to meet the needs of all involved.
The program was ordered by the court to begin on February 1, 2021.
Carlos Meza acted as the lead facilitator while another program graduate, Senoj Jones, graced us by serving as the surrogate survivor in this remarkable restorative program, which has been highly praised by the judge, the prosecutors, the defense attorney – and most importantly, the defendant and the survivors have described the program as a “true miracle.”
We are using this miraculously effective and healing model as we continue creating alternatives to incarceration that support survivors of crime. Defense attorneys and prosecutors have found this to be an answer to a long unmet need. And we are committed to bringing healing and transformation to all of our systems and the people impacted by them.
If you, your client, or your office is interested in a restorative and transformative approach to harm, please reach out to us. If we’re not the right match for your needs and goals, we will do our very best to connect you to the perfect fit through one of our many dedicated and talented collaborators.