For law educator Melissa D. Redmon, the attraction of criminal indictment lies in the chance to pursue justice with kindness and understanding.
“I believe the criticism that many individuals hold about this domain is the viewpoint that all prosecutors aim to merely incarcerate individuals or that they prioritize their conviction statistics over justice. However, it’s truly the justice component that captivated me,” stated Redmon, who operates as a clinical associate professor and directs the Prosecutorial Justice Program at UGA.
The definition of pursuing justice can differ based on the respondent, yet Redmon ensures her method upholds the dignity and humanity of everyone engaged in any interaction with the criminal legal framework.
Arguably the most neglected individuals in these situations would be the victims.
“The aspect of prosecution involves dealing with individuals regarding what was likely the most traumatic day of their lives. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the trauma inflicted on the victim, how they might react to that trauma, and what measures you need to take to avoid causing further trauma as their case advances through the criminal justice system,” Redmon elaborated.
One of the primary challenges, Redmon emphasized, is that victims do not always respond to their situations in the manner external observers envision, which can lead to people forming erroneous assumptions and jumping to conclusions about an individual’s credibility.
As a previous prosecutor, Redmon was tasked not only with weighing the victim’s statement but also with reviewing all the evidence available in a particular case to ascertain the truth and subsequently communicate with the victim about what a fair resolution could look like.
“It is about comprehending the ramifications of what occurred, ensuring the victim feels acknowledged,” Redmon remarked. This scenario is especially relevant when the victims may not consistently concur with the choices being made, given that the prosecutor’s role is genuinely to represent the state in judicial proceedings.
In a similar vein, Redmon noted that it is essential for prosecutors to keep in mind the dignity of the accused.
Without addressing the core factors contributing to crime, the criminal justice system’s ability to avert future issues is limited.
“It can begin with their surroundings, their socioeconomic situation, limited access to employment and educational opportunities,” Redmon stated. “Thus, it isn’t merely about an individual’s actions. It’s about uncovering the fundamental reasons to see if we can deter them from re-offending.”
Redmon, originally from Columbus, Georgia, obtained her Bachelor of Arts in English from Mercer University before receiving her Juris Doctor from Michigan State University.
She mentioned that the presence of family in Detroit was one of the reasons that motivated her to pursue further education up North, but a significant aspect that drew her back home to Georgia after obtaining her law degree was something else.
“It was the cold,” Redmon chuckled. “It wasn’t just that. It was frigid for much of the year, but it was also just gray.”
Redmon escaped the considerably harsher Michigan winters, returning to Georgia. She subsequently dedicated nearly two decades to public service within indigent defense and district attorney offices in Fulton and Clayton counties.
One of her most enjoyable aspects of being a prosecutor was mentoring the junior attorneys in her office and aiding their development as prosecutors. Consequently, transitioning to the university felt like a natural progression for Redmon.
When a vacancy in the law school’s Prosecutorial Justice Program caught her attention in 2018, Redmon felt it was a sign that she needed to make the switch.
“I believe engaging with students who aspire to be prosecutors is probably the only role I would have transitioned to from prosecution,” Redmon clarified, highlighting the essential demand for students who are passionate about public interest and utilizing their legal expertise to enhance their surroundings. “There’s something profoundly altruistic about that aspiration.”
Through the externship initiative, Redmon motivates her students to carve out their own paths as prosecutors.
“My goal is to guide students to contemplate what being a steward of justice as a prosecutor signifies for them: to investigate their interpretations of right and wrong, to reflect on which cases merit incarceration, which do not, and the rationale behind their conclusions,” Redmon expressed.
Beyond academics, Redmon enjoys perusing a diverse range of literature from authors such as James Baldwin, George Orwell, and Percival Everett. Perhaps most fitting for a former prosecutor, her latest read is Fyodor Dostoevsky’s “Crime and Punishment.” Redmon has also relished becoming acquainted with the Athens community alongside her partner, Richard, and their four-year-old daughter, Karrington.
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