“Don’t Come—Your Sister’s Boyfriend Is a Judge,” My Dad Texted—Monday Morning, He Learned Who Really Was

argued for the full eight years—deterrence, the seriousness of the offense, the need to send a message. The public defender argued for treatment, for community service, for alternatives that might actually help instead of just warehousing another young person.

When they finished, I looked at the young man standing before me—nineteen years old, scared,continue reading …