Miami, March 17, 2016 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Homestead and Wolfson Campuses will soon host Where’s the Justice? Forums. The community discussions will address inequality and improving the criminal justice system. The events are free and open to the public.
The forums are in collaboration with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Spanish American League Against Discrimination (S.A.L.A.D), and the Miami-Dade Public Defender Carlos J. Martinez. Panelists include the Honorable Carlos J. Martinez, Miami-Dade Public Defender, Michelle Ortiz, Deputy Director, Americans for Immigrant Justice, Juan J. Perez, Director, Miami-Dade Police Department, Rodolfo Llanes, Chief of City of Miami Police Department, Al Rolle, Chief of Homestead Police Department, and representatives from the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.
The dialogue is designed to raise community awareness and find solutions to the barriers of success created by the justice system. Together, we can improve outcomes and restore faith in the justice system. The following topics will be addressed:
- Forcing individuals to represent themselves in criminal court
- Discussing alternatives to unnecessary arrests and convictions for minor infractions
- Promoting cash register justice through the imposition of fines and fees
- Identifying immigration and other consequences of a criminal conviction
MDC also hosted successful forums at its Kendall and North Campuses.
For more information, please contact Tania Acosta, Director of Homestead Campus Administration, 305-237-5219, tacosta1@mdc.edu, or Jaime Anzalotta, Interim Dean of Students Wolfson Campus, 305-237-3007, janzalot@mdc.edu.
WHAT: MDC Hosts “Where’s the Justice?” Forum
WHEN: Tuesday, April 5, 9:50 a.m., Wolfson Campus
Monday, April 11, 6 p.m., Homestead Campus
WHERE: MDC’s Wolfson Campus, Chapman, Bldg. 3, Room 3210, 300 N.E. 2nd Ave.
MDC’s Homestead Campus, Bldg. F, Room F222, 500 College Terrace