Program Success March 2015 | Page 3

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Regina Nunnally I bbbjdD2 @ gmail . com I 386.299 . D538
Attorney Regina Nunnally Revolving Door Criminal Justice System Bunnell , Florida April 2015

REGINA NUNNALLY

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CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

far too many of our youth still today are caught-up in the criminal justice system . It is as if they are matriculating ... juvenile offender to misdemeanor offender to felony offender and their final degree , life behind bars . Regina Nunnally sees this much too often from her position of Felony Defense Attorney for Flagler County Public Defender ' s Office . " Bad decisions can limit your options . Our youth cannot see beyond their circumstances which limits what they choose to do ," Regina explains as she attempts to address this with her clients and encourage them to apply the skills they have learned in Drug Court or other programs to succeed . However , all too often she sees them overwhelmed by circumstances that are everyday tasks for others . The ability to follow through , to stand on their one feet , to be responsible for their own food and clothes , to maintain and be consistent are skills that plague our youth . If they are not used to this they cave in to the pressure to revert back to the " hustle " they had because it ' s what they know and are comfortable doing . So the cycle continues .
Being a criminal defense attorney was not a choice for Regina Nunnally but became a skill she honed by representing people from all walks of life . She ' s picked juries and tried many cases , unpopular at best . She has seen first-hand the circumstances of broken homes , abuse , mental and substance abuse issues , broken dreams , broken hearts , and what affects they can have on people . This has given her a keen insight as to what is lacking with our youth , courts and society as a whole . There ' s a lack of perspective .
Juveniles that are raised in homes that lack any form of parental guidance look elsewhere to fill the void . When these symptoms of neglect are exhibited , our youth are " rehabilitated " or punished in the system . Young people need an alternative . Oh yes , jail and prison is an alternative but when they get out where do they go ? Right back into the environment they know best . They need a replacement .
When I stand before the bench with one of our youth at my side , I look and see somebody ' s child . This person has a mother and a father , was raised with extended family members and a church community . This child belongs to somebody and is a part of many . Yet it is easier for us to give the label ' Bad Child ' and somehow move on as if we are not responsible or obligated . The churches ( regardless of denomination ) must band together to offer a replacement and be consistent . This would require " whole villages to raise our children " approach . This would require the powers that be to become more actively involved by getting to know our youth by listening to our youth . This would require a " renewed mindset ".
Young people live in the now . They do not see or plan for the future . This will require a massive effort and requires long term oversight . The main players : school , churches , businesses , and the government must manage this feat . The goal is to rewrite the programmed mind . The mind must believe there is a better way . It takes courage to move from what you know to the unknown . Fear does indeed breed torment .
Can we teach an old dog new tricks ? Yes , a renewed mind creates a new creation . The old can pass away .
Regina Nunnally I bbbjdD2 @ gmail . com I 386.299 . D538