Raj Jayadev: Community-powered criminal justice reform

The video discusses the power of community organizing in addressing issues within the judicial system, particularly through a method called participatory defense. This approach empowers families and communities to support loved ones facing criminal charges, impacting case outcomes and transforming court dynamics. The video highlights successful case studies, such as Ramon Vasquez, and describes the creation of social biography projects to humanize defendants. The participatory defense network is expanding across the U.S., using a metric called 'timesaver' to measure success in reducing incarceration time.

What is one of the main challenges faced by families when their loved ones are arrested?

• Lack of community support

• Inability to afford private attorneys

• Excessive media attention

• Overcrowded courtrooms

What is the primary goal of participatory defense?

• To influence court outcomes through community involvement

• To provide free legal representation

• To offer financial support to families

• To organize protests against the judicial system

How did participatory defense help Ramon Vasquez?

• By hiring a private investigator

• By organizing a public protest

• By identifying contradictions in the case

• By providing financial aid for bail

What are social biography packets used for?

• To compile legal documents

• To present a comprehensive view of the defendant's life

• To create a timeline of the court proceedings

• To gather evidence for the prosecution

How did Carnell's photo essay impact his sentencing?

• It delayed the court proceedings

• It led to a complete acquittal

• It had no impact on the judge's decision

• It resulted in a reduced sentence

What is the significance of the 'eraser ceremony' in participatory defense?

• It is a method to document case progress

• It marks the end of a meeting

• It is a ritual to welcome new members

• It symbolizes the removal of a loved one's name from the board after a legal victory

What is the 'timesaver' metric used for in participatory defense?

• To calculate the cost of legal fees

• To measure the reduction in incarceration time

• To track the number of cases handled

• To evaluate the success rate of public defenders

Which city recently joined the national network of participatory defense?

• Miami

• Philadelphia

• Chicago

• New York

What is one of the outcomes of the participatory defense movement?

• More public protests against the judicial system

• Reallocation of resources to education and health services

• Increased incarceration rates

• Higher legal costs for families

What does the participatory defense movement aim to change?

• The structure of public defender offices

• The role of judges in court

• The process of jury selection

• The way justice is understood in the country