A lawyer and former prosecutor is drawing attention to what she describes as persistent racial disparities in the criminal justice system, saying Black and Brown defendants face harsher treatment even when charged with the same offenses as white defendants.
In a recent video statement, the attorney — who has worked on both sides of the courtroom since 1997 — said that despite decades of experience, one reality has remained constant: defense counsel must fight significantly harder to secure fair treatment for clients of color.
“If my client that I’m representing is Black or Brown, I have to work twice as hard to make sure that their rights are protected,” she said. “And even then, with all of the efforts, they generally get harsher sentences than a white client who is charged with the exact same thing.”
She rejected the argument often used to justify higher arrest rates among communities of color, calling such claims rooted in racism rather than reality.
Her comments drew support online, including from users who underscored the importance of transparency about the partiality of the judicial system. One commenter wrote:
“I think it’s important for people in her position to speak the truth about what we all know to be true about the partial views of the judicial system. Too many of us have given up, and accepted to be treated less than others. Our time on this earth has a limit, and what we choose to do with that time will determine our children’s future.”
Legal scholars have long debated the extent of sentencing disparities in U.S. courts, with data showing that minority defendants often face tougher outcomes.
The attorney’s remarks add a practitioner’s perspective from someone who has navigated both prosecution and defense over nearly three decades.
Her closing message urged compassion and solidarity:
“Go out there and love your neighbor, especially today, your Black and Brown neighbors, because I promise you, they need it.”
