Thread by @DrRJKavanagh

I had a 17-year-old client accepted into 5 colleges, with references from his pastor, heads of programs and community leaders. The judge could have sentenced him to probation. Instead she gave him 2 years in prison. He, unlike Mr. Milaski, is Black. nbcnews.com/news/us-news/u…

She also could have sentenced him as a youthful offender. Instead she gave him an adult felony record.

I argued that the consequences of all of this would be devastating for him, especially his education.

Her response: he should have thought of that when he committed the crime.

Because I know everyone is going to ask me the charge: attempted criminal possession of a weapon.

My client was alleged to have carried a gun. He was never alleged to have used the gun, to have pointed the gun at anyone. Just to have carried it.

You may not understand why a teenager would feel the need to carry a gun in New York City to protect himself and his family, without ever intending to use it, but this is a reality for so many kids living here.

This was not a crime of violence, he never assaulted anyone, he certainly never sexually assaulted or raped someone.

The point is we see time and again judges treat White men (dude is in college) who commit crimes of violence, including sexual violence, as capable of rehabilitation, but Black children are irredeemable when they are doing something out of necessity or for self-preservation.