“No one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. A nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens but its lowest ones.” – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela
What is the role of prisons within our society? A prison is a facility that cages individuals for committing a crime, where their freedom, movement and access to nearly everything is restricted. The individual does not have a choice but to go and the prison does not have a choice but to take them. Being imprisoned often results in financial burdens, broken families, damaged future job prospects, sometimes worsened physical and mental damage, and even learned criminal behavior. But is that how we, as a society, want to leave these individuals?
A prison should be so much more than just a place that holds individuals until their allocated time has expired; It should be a place that does everything possible to deter, reform, rehabilitate, and restore an individual in order to help them turn their life around. The objective for prison needs to be one that ensures when an individual walks out of the gates on their last day, they never return again.
The Mandela Rules themselves try to help turn imprisonment from humiliation and deprivation of liberty into personal development leading to release. This mentality will benefit society as a whole to ensure that the cycle of the system does not continue.
As former President Obama stated during his Criminal Justice Reform Speech in 2015, “While people in our prisons made some mistakes, and sometimes big mistakes, they are also Americans. We have to make sure that as they do their time and pay back their debt to society, we are increasing the possibility that they can turn their lives around.”
So what should we, as a society, do to ensure this rehabilitation process? If rehabilitation means providing education, work skills, therapy, and rehab to these individuals, why not give it to them? Seeing these individuals leave the gates in better shape than when they were put in is far more efficient than seeing them return within a year.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A black man was pulled over by Salt River Police Department while visiting from out of town. Despite showing no signs of impairment, the officers arrested him and charged him with DUI Drugs. We investigated the case heavily and interviewed every officer involved. Ultimately, a motion to suppress was filed and granted after an evidentiary hearing before a Judge.
A man was charged with attacking a family with a knife. After reviewing the evidence, it was determined that the instrument used was not a knife at all. The Grand Jury had been misled, so we filed a motion challenging the grand jury presentation. The prosecutor, confronted with the truth, agreed to reduce the charge to a misdemeanor with no jail time.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A man was out on a walk and was stopped by police because he was in the area of an attempted vehicle theft. The man maintained his innocence, but the owner of the truck identified him as the man he saw attempt to steal it. We worked tirelessly to prepare a defense and get the prosecution to see reason. The State wouldn’t budge, so the case went to trial. After a 4 day trial, the jury took approximately 10 minutes to return a Not Guilty verdict.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A client was charged with resist arrest after being targeted by police during the protests of Summer 2020. Our firm developed a strategy with activists and members of the media that led to a dismissal of our client’s case and, eventually, all cases connected to the political prosecution of the protesters.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
A woman and her boyfriend were arguing over the cleaning of their apartment. The police were called after things escalated and the woman was arrested. The Mesa City Prosecutors originally wanted the woman to do jail time. After working the case and providing background information, we were able to get the prosecutor to allow the woman to complete classes in exchange for a dismissal.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
We have experience managing violent cases that fall under the categories of murder and manslaughter. Out of respect for all Nava Law Firm clients that fall under this case type, we are not providing any information on our website. If you or a loved one have been charged with one of these serious charges, do not speak to police officers and please contact our firm immediately to get a free consultation.
Woman was charged with her second DUI within 7 years after being involved in a collision in Scottsdale. Through our investigation, we found multiple mistakes made by the arresting officer. These errors were used to get the prosecution to reduce the alleged offense to a charge with no jail time.
