Topic: Justice

Legal Aid Society honors Kathryn Edge

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 31, 2008 |

Board President ends term with Commendation Award

Kathryn Edge, outgoing president of Legal Aid Society Board of Directors receives Commendation Award from Gary Housepian, Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & The Cumberlands

The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, at their recent Board of Directors meeting in Nashville, recognized the outgoing board president for outstanding service.

Kathryn Edge served a one-year term as the president of the organization’s board of directors. Ms Edge has shown dedication and commitment to the position and to The Legal Aid Society. She will continue to serve as an active member of the board and as a notable practicing attorney in Nashville’s legal environs with Miller & Martin law firm.

The Legal Society Aid, LAS, offers free civil legal advice to many low-income Tennesseans who have nowhere else to turn. Serving 48 counties from offices in Clarksville, Columbia, Cookeville, Gallatin, Nashville, Murfreesboro, Oak Ridge and Tullahoma, the Legal Society fights for equal justice for our most vulnerable citizens. It is a non-profit, legal services organization funded in part by Legal Services Corporation, the Tennessee Bar Association, the United Way, the state of Tennessee and donations. «Read the rest of this article»

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Legal Aid Society: Cost-effective legal lifeline for Middle-Tennesseans

By Turner McCullough Jr. | July 30, 2008 |

Legal Aid Society delivers $2 in benefits for every $1 it receives

In 2007, the Legal Aid Society helped more than 7,000 Middle Tennesseans find justice when they had nowhere else to turn. As a result, women were protected from abusive husbands, people still had roofs over their heads and the sick got the medical care they needed, among the many other benefits received by Middle Tennessee’s most vulnerable citizens. Like the miracle of the loaves and fishes, the Legal Aid Society was able to make a little go a long way in meeting these needs - basically delivering $2 in benefits for every $1 it received. The $5,761,160 it spent in 2007 generated $11,096,830 in benefits.

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Violent crimes flare up across Clarksville

July 29, 2008 |

Police have responded to series of unrelated violent crimes over the past week, including two instances involving guns and a third requiring assistance from the Crisis Negotiations Unit and Tactical Unit.

On July 29, at approximately 1:30 am, officers responded to the Raleigh Drive area in response to a burglary. While in the area, officers observed a vehicle that was known to have been previously operated by the suspects. Officers tracked the suspects to another apartment within the complex.

The Crisis Negotiations Unit and Tactical Unit did respond to the scene. After unsuccessful negotiations, the Tactical Unit deployed Clear Out Gas into the apartment. At approximately 8:00 a.m. Michael Benton and Christopher Williams were taken into custody without incident. The items taken from the original burglary call were located inside the apartment where the suspects were hiding. The Clarksville Police Department was assisted by Montgomery County Sheriff’s Dept., Clarksville Fire Rescue and Montgomery County EMS. «Read the rest of this article»

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Racial profiling prevention goes before Senate Judiciary Committee

By Turner McCullough Jr. | April 28, 2008 |

Tennessee is One of Few States Lacking Racial Profiling Definition. A prayer vigil in support of families being torn apart by deportation is planned.

In the last days of our state’s legislative session, a bill has been passed to the Senate Judiciary Committee that would address law enforcement’s lack of a definition of racial profiling. The Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled to consider SB 3459, a bill that, “Prohibits racial profiling by law enforcement; establishes a cause of action for aggrieved persons; makes violation a Class C misdemeanor.” The bill is characterized as human rights legislation.

There are several bills that bear direct impact on the immigrant communities in our state. Legal status is something that cannot be determined by merely looking at a person. Lack of a proficient command of English should not be grounds for scrutiny by law enforcement. Nor should having an accent! The tenor of several of these bills should make the average person’s blood run cold. One bill would actually have the effect of fostering the hiring of undocumented immigrants, only to see them denied payment of their wages. Under its provisions, the employer would not obligated to pay the employee for his or her labor. Even the indentured servant of colonial days received some compensation in the contract.

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