An immigrant from Cuba, Carlos Martinez has made indigent defense his life’s work. He was elected Public Defender of Miami-Dade County in 2008 and was re-elected without opposition in 2012 and 2016. The first Cuban-American public defender in the United States, Martinez has launched multiple initiatives to help returning citizens obtain employment, educate young people about the consequences of illegal behavior, and engage the faith community in promoting social justice and improving public safety.
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UpClose With Jamila Hodge
This month’s spotlighted member is Jamila Hodge, executive director of Equal Justice USA. In her interview, Hodge discusses how the criminal justice field addresses violent crime and the importance of identifying solutions that address the underlying drivers of violence.