Lot’s of good info. from a Mara Dolan, candidate for Councillor, mailing.
The Governor’s Council: What it Does and Why it Matters to Criminal Justice Reform In Massachusetts, we don't elect our judges– but we do elect the people who choose them. These elected members belong to the Governor's Council <https://www.mass.gov/orgs/governors-council>, an eight member body <https://www.mass.gov/service-details/councillors>which not only determines who our judges are, but chooses who serves on our Parole Board <https://www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-parole-board>and who receives a commutation or a pardon <https://www.mass.gov/service-details/pardons-and-commutations>. The Governor’s Council plays a central role to the makeup of our judiciary branch, and therefore what happens to court- involved individuals that come before the judiciary. It is an injustice that a full-time public defender has never been on the Governor's Council. Click here <https://www.instagram.com/p/CgP4R6VOyTE/> for shareable graphic on this stat. Our courts are similarly heavily stacked with prosecutors: With regard to MA trial judges, prosecutors outnumber public defenders 2:1. On the Appeal Court, it’s 16:3. On the MA Supreme Judicial court, it’s 4:1. Click here <https://www.instagram.com/p/ChUk3vAuibR/> for a shareable graphic of these stats. This lack of representation has serious and obvious consequences for individuals going before judges. As a public defender, Mara has seen first hand <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mara-dolan-for-governors-council/id1086374373?i=1000568952314> how important it is to have judges who respect the science around substance use disorders, and who understand thebrain development of youth <https://insidesources.com/theyre-children-stop-calling-it-juvenile-court/> and emerging adults, so that vulnerable people can receive treatment instead of jail time <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i53Adr9Upu0>. But it doesn’t stop there–people on parole <https://www.instagram.com/p/CgN1yMxsCsu/> or seeking commutations or pardons are also impacted by the makeup of these bodies. In the past 20 years in Massachusetts, 475 people applied for a commutation. 3 were granted. Click here <https://www.instagram.com/p/CgwzuVquMU0/> for a shareable graphic. In 2021, Connecticut issued 1,034 pardons. Massachusetts issued 0. Click here <https://www.instagram.com/p/CgmsrkhujVa/> for a shareable graphic. Mara will only approve judges who are anti-racist <https://commonwealthmagazine.org/courts/governors-council-candidate-would-seek-pro-choice-anti-racist-judges/>and take that approach to their courtroom. And of course, Mara will only approve judges that are 100% pro choice <https://www.instagram.com/p/CgSV5wHOWdC/>. Preserving Reproductive Freedom in the Massachusetts Courts At a time when reproductive rights are in tatters across the country and Massachusetts is being held up as a sanctuary for reproductive justice and access, it’s more important than ever that the Commonwealth’s courts are ready to stand for reproductive freedom. Unfortunately, this is under threat. The Incumbent recently voted to approve <https://www.wwlp.com/news/state-politics/cloutier-confirmed-after-reproduction-rights-discussion/> an anti-choice judicial nominee to the Massachusetts Superior Court. In addition to being counter to the governing laws and values of the Commonwealth, the Incumbent’s support of an anti-choice judge poses a very real threat to the reproductive freedoms of minors. In Massachusetts, minors aged 15 or younger who need an abortion but do not have the consent of a parent or guardian must seek approval for the abortion from a judge. This is called “judicial bypass <https://www.plannedparenthood.org/planned-parenthood-massachusetts/online-health-center/judicial-bypass#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20choice%20for,an%20abortion%20without%20telling%20anyone.>.” Minors going through judicial bypass are usually in difficult and extremely vulnerable situations, and often experience delays <https://www.wbur.org/news/2019/04/09/mass-teen-abortion-delay>in seeking abortion services and approvals as a result of the court process. ------ Sara Mattes
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