A Note of Gratitude for Another Term and 2021 Update

A Note of Gratitude for Another Term and 2021 Update

It’s official: Judge Birmingham is unopposed for re-election thus securing his third term. “Thank you for allowing me to continue to serve as the Presiding Judge of the 292nd. It is an honor of a lifetime, and I have each of you to thank. I also want to thank my amazing staff: Jessica Esparza, Kelly Simmons, Deputy Martin, Deputy Crumb, Carol Sanders, and Melissa Burke. I also want to thank the talented and hard-working lawyers I get to practice with and learn from each day.” Judge Birmingham’s third term begins January 1st, 2023.

In the meantime, we’ll share a few highlights from 2021: 1) An in-depth study of Judge Birmingham’s AIM Court, 2) a statistical breakdown of the 98 jury trials over which he has presided, and 3) three of his academic projects.

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156 AIM Court Graduates

156 AIM Court Graduates

Over the pandemic, I fell in love with a free tool called Google Data Studio, a program that uses data to create interactive custom reports. I ran the numbers from AIM Court since it’s inception, and I am very pleased to announce that 156 young men and women have earned dismissals on 179 felony cases, avoided a potential of 2,544 years in prison, and performed 3,744 hours of community service. The report and some other takeaways follow.

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Gratitude and Promise in a Felony District Court

Gratitude and Promise in a Felony District Court

In 2017, I had the distinct honor of taking over the Felony Domestic Violence Court (“FDV Court”). I am proud to work with a dynamic team of prosecutors, public defenders, treatment providers, community stakeholders, and case managers. The team is extraordinary, each member uniquely passionate about their role. We meet every Monday morning, discussing each participant’s progress and compliance. We all work together to accomplish the mission of the court: to keep victims safe, and end the cycle of intimate partner domestic violence.

Today was graduation day, my favorite. We added 4 graduates to the growing list of 90 who have successfully completed the demanding curriculum.

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Justice Served Via Second Chances

Justice Served Via Second Chances

By DALLAS (CBS11) 

Monday in Dallas County, justice was served in the form of second chances.

A diversion court program called AIM, which stands for Achieve Inspire Motivate, graduated its first five participants.

James Reddic was among them.

“I’m just glad to be free,” said Reddic, now 20. He was 17 when he made what he freely calls a stupid mistake. For three years the felony indictment has been both a burden and a roadblock. “I was struggling to get a job, couldn’t even get a basic job,” explained Reddic. Read More

Dallas County District Attorney’s AIM program allows second chance for inmates

Dallas County District Attorney’s AIM program allows second chance for inmates

By FOX4News.com Staff

The Dallas County District Attorney’s AIM program provides a second chance for young inmates.

The AIM program, which stands for “Achieve Inspire Motivate”, gives young offenders the chance to complete certain classes. It targets young people who are in prison for non-violent offenses. After graduating from AIM, the participant’s case will be dismissed and immediately expunged. Read More

New Dallas County program helps young felons get a new start

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS (AP) – Johnathan Monroe has a dream.The Dallas Morning News (https://bit.ly/21cj3F0 ) reports it starts with getting his associate degree in business administration from El Centro Community College. A bachelor’s degree in marketing from a local university follows. And then one day, after years of paying dues and saving his money, he envisions opening his own advertising firm.“Working for other people is fine,” said Monroe, 18. “But I want to be my own boss. When it’s your business, you’re getting out everything you put into it. Read More

Dallas program gives another chance to young offenders

By FOX4News.com Staff

A Dallas County judge is presiding over a special kind or court that gives ‘second chances’ and may be the only one of its kind in the country.

The goal is to inspire and motivate positive change in the largest portion of young people that are clogging up the courts — 18- to 24-year-olds.

The program takes place after indictment and before conviction. The chosen few who are successful will have their felony records expunged. Read More