Welcome to A Mother's Love

This blog is a testament to this mother's unwavering love and a fierce call for justice. I started this blog and community in an effort to expose the systemic injustices and practices that have ensnared my daughter and countless others within the American judicial system.. particularly when it comes to mandatory minimums and ALL drug related charges. 

If you're unfamiliar with mandatory minimums, Here's a hypothetical, yet realistic, scenario that illustrates the potential injustice of mandatory minimum sentencing:

The Case of Maria:
Maria is a single mother of two, struggling to make ends meet. Her partner left her with substantial debt, and she's facing eviction.
 Desperate, she takes on small jobs and in one such case, agrees to deliver a package for a friend's cousin, thinking it contains electronics. She's paid a small amount, which she intends to use for rent.
 Unbeknownst to her, the package contains a quantity of a controlled substance, just over the threshold that triggers a mandatory minimum sentence.
Even though Maria has no prior criminal record, and her involvement was driven by financial desperation, the mandatory minimum law dictates a severe prison sentence, often years in length.
The judge, despite recognizing the mitigating circumstances and Maria's lack of criminal intent, is legally bound to impose the mandatory minimum.
As a result, Maria is separated from her children, loses her job, and faces a long period of incarceration. Meanwhile, those higher up in the drug distribution chain, who orchestrated the operation, may receive more lenient sentences through plea bargains or other legal maneuvers.

Why This Is Unjust
* Lack of proportionality: The punishment doesn't fit the crime. Maria's actions, while illegal, were driven by desperation, and the mandatory minimum ignores the context of her situation.
* Removal of judicial discretion: Judges are unable to consider mitigating factors, such as the defendant's background, the nature of their involvement, or the potential impact on their families.
* Disparate impact: Mandatory minimums often disproportionately affect low-income individuals and people of color.
* Focus on quantity over culpability: The focus on drug quantity rather than the individual's role or intent can lead to excessive sentences for low-level offenders.
* The creation of more damage: The long term effects of removing a mother from her children can cause a ripple effect of negative consequences to the children, and the community.

This example highlights how mandatory minimum sentencing can lead to harsh and unjust outcomes, particularly for those with zero or limited involvement in criminal activities or those without a criminal record at all. 

The justice system systemically and disproportionately affects poor and working-class parents, many of whom remain incarcerated due to systemic inequities. A significant factor is the inability to afford bail or legal fees, leaving them trapped in a cycle of imprisonment.

*Studies show that low-income individuals are incarcerated at higher rates simply because they lack the financial resources to secure their release or hire effective legal representation. Public defenders, often the only option for these individuals, are frequently underpaid, overworked, and overwhelmed by large caseloads. This limits their ability to provide adequate attention to each case, potentially resulting in poor outcomes for their clients. Additionally, systemic biases and a lack of support networks exacerbate these challenges, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and incarceration.

For a deeper dive into these issues, ** this report provides further insight. Addressing this injustice requires systemic reform, including investments in public defense, alternatives to cash bail, and broader social support for vulnerable populations

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On October 23rd 2024, my daughter and granddaughter's lives were forever changed and over the last 5 months I've learned the really painful lesson that "No one is gonna fight for your child like you." Even those being paid. At the end of the day, even the majority of the attorneys who claim to fight for justice only do so when paid and some, not even then.

Knowing my 26-year-old daughter faces a potential life sentence, and others involved walk relatively free, is a difficult feeling to express. While those who were the true targets of a lengthy investigation  receive a reduction of charges/sentencing and are being actively represented, her life—a life she painstakingly built- including a business that has just started thriving and a young daughter of her own—has been forever upended and she's been sitting in a jail cell literally 22 mins from her child for 5 months because the State petitioned for no bond and her attorney has done zero to challenge it, help her, or even start any defense. The 1 document filed in 5 months and at least 4 pretrial hearings: discovery request.                                                                          In addition, I've found 2 blatant conflicts of interest that have been judicially ignored as well as ignored by other attorneys I've gone to seeking counsel for her.

He's also a paid attorney (not of my choosing) and while others I've contacted explaining the situation to and wanting to hire have made it clear she has to choose to change attorneys, but if we can't discuss things privately how can she even know there's any issues?  

Through meticulous research and a dedication to fact finding, I intend to shed light on the corruption and negligence that have put her life in jeopardy as well as so many others. 

My hope is that by shedding light on these injustices, we can compel those in positions of power to finally see and act. And if, in this process, I can help even one other mother, sister or loved one navigate this bewildering and often cruel system, then I will have fulfilled my purpose.

Much love, 

BluRaven

* www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/incomejails.html

** https://www.naacpldf.org/press-release/locked-out-understanding-the-systemic-barriers-low-income-individuals-face-in-the-justice-system/