Agenda

Restorative Justice

Tamisha’s cousin was the victim of a system that assumes some people are guilty before proven innocent. That’s why Tamisha has dedicated so much of her life to righting the injustices she’s seen. She spent the last six years serving the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as an Associate Probation Officer in the trial courts. Her work entails keeping the community safe, reducing recidivism, contributing to the fair and equitable administration of justice, supporting victims and survivors, and assisting individuals and families in achieving long term positive change. Her goal is to elect judges that understand the impact of dismantling systemic injustice throughout Massachusetts.

Judges can impact restorative justice by:

  1. Referring Cases: Judges can refer appropriate cases to restorative justice programs, allowing offenders and victims to participate in a restorative process rather than going through traditional court proceedings.

  2. Supporting Implementation: Judges can support the implementation of restorative justice initiatives within the court system by advocating for their use and providing resources for their development.

  3. Monitoring Progress: Judges can monitor the progress and outcomes of restorative justice programs to ensure that they are effective in promoting accountability, addressing harm, and reducing recidivism.

  4. Encouraging Participation: Judges can encourage participation in restorative justice processes by explaining the benefits to offenders, victims, and the community, and by fostering a supportive environment for restorative practices within the court system.

Domestic Violence

Tamisha has years of experience working to support victims of domestic violence. She was a Victim Witness Advocate for the Suffolk District Attorney’s office, where she was professionally trained to provide resources to victims of crime, including but not limited to restraining order assistance, housing assistance, grand jury preparation, and insights on legal rights and protections. She’s also a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence at Finex House, where she helps operate the crisis support line, provide translation services, and aid victims as they navigate the criminal justice system.

Judges can help address domestic violence in the courtroom by:

  1. Issuing Protective Orders: Judges can issue protective orders to prevent contact between the victim and the perpetrator, providing a legal safeguard for the victim.

  2. Ensuring Victim Safety: Judges can prioritize the safety of the victim by considering factors like bail conditions, no-contact orders, and temporary custody arrangements.

  3. Holding Perpetrators Accountable: Judges can impose appropriate consequences on perpetrators, such as counseling, anger management classes, or jail time, to deter future violent behavior.

  4. Providing Support Services: Judges can connect victims with support services like counseling, shelters, legal aid, and advocacy groups to help them navigate the legal process and recover from the trauma of domestic violence.

Substance Abuse

The War on Drugs has failed. The best way to help a person who is abusing substances is intervention, not throwing them in jail. Tamisha believes we need to appoint more judges who take a mental health approach to substance abuse, treating it like the life threatening disease it is and shifting away from over-incarceration. Tamisha’s end goal is to educate and help families across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts navigate the court system with the assistance of judges that understand the need for Section 35 petitions.

Judges can help families dealing with substance abuse issues by:

  1. Encouraging Treatment: Judges can order individuals to attend substance abuse treatment programs as part of their sentencing, helping them address their addiction.

  2. Monitoring Progress: Judges can track the individual's progress in treatment and hold them accountable for meeting the requirements of their treatment program.

  3. Providing Resources: Judges can connect families with resources such as support groups, counseling services, and treatment facilities to assist them in dealing with the challenges of substance abuse.

  4. Promoting Education: Judges can promote education and awareness about substance abuse within the community to reduce stigma and encourage prevention.