HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 06-06-2017 - 4-a - Resolution Honoring Judicial District 15B (Orange-Chatham) Public Defender James E. Williams, Jr 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: June 6, 2017
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Resolution Honoring Judicial District 15B (Orange/Chatham) Public Defender
James E. Williams, Jr.
DEPARTMENT: County Manager/Criminal
Justice Resource Office
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Caitlin Fenhagen, Criminal Justice
Resolution Resource Office Manager, 919-245-
2303
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution honoring James E. Williams, Jr. for serving as the Public
Defender for Judicial District 15B (Orange and Chatham counties) for twenty-seven (27) years.
BACKGROUND: James E. Williams, Jr. served as the Public Defender for Orange and
Chatham counties for 27 years. During this time, Mr. Williams led the development of innovative
efforts to make the criminal justice system more equitable, including the creation of the
Misdemeanor Diversion Program, the Public Defender Committee on Race and Equity, the
Criminal Justice Resource Office, the North Carolina Commission on Racial and Ethnic
Disparities, and the District 15B Racial Justice Taskforce.
Mr. Williams consistently challenged racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal justice
system in North Carolina, including racial bias in policing, unfair public housing admission
provisions, high court costs and fees for indigent clients, inequitable pre-trial release and bail
policies, institutional barriers to re-entry for formerly incarcerated persons, and police practices
that target low-level crimes.
The resolution extends the Orange County Board of Commissioners' appreciation for Mr.
Williams' service to the Office of the Public Defender and to the residents of Orange County.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the
Resolution.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice goals are applicable
to this item:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
2
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt and authorize the
Chair to sign the Resolution.
RES-2017-035 3
ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION HONORING JUDICIAL DISTRICT 15B (ORANGE/CHATHAM)
PUBLIC DEFENDER JAMES E. WILLIAMS, JR.
WHEREAS, James E. Williams, Jr. served as the Public Defender of North Carolina
Judicial District 15B, serving Orange and Chatham counties for 27 years; and
WHEREAS, during his tenure, Mr. Williams led the development of innovative efforts to
make the criminal justice system more equitable, including the Misdemeanor Diversion
Program, the Public Defender Committee on Race and Equity, the Criminal Justice
Resource Office, the NC Commission on Racial and Ethnic Disparities and the District 15B
Racial Justice Taskforce; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams consistently challenged racial and socioeconomic disparities in
the criminal justice system in North Carolina, including racial bias in policing, unfair public
housing admission provisions, high court costs and fees for indigent clients, inequitable pre-
trial release and bail policies, institutional barriers to re-entry for formerly incarcerated
persons, and police practices that target low-level crimes; and
WHEREAS, James dedicated his career to working with other lawyers, judges, law
enforcement officers, elected officials, and the community to address those disparities
through efforts to bring transparency to policing decisions and judicial practices, promote
body worn cameras for law enforcement officers and policies regarding broader access to
police videos, and by leading public education initiatives and engaged community dialogue
around racial bias in the criminal justice system; and
WHEREAS, James undertook these efforts while also tirelessly and zealously representing
his clients, including defendants in some of the most high-profile and controversial cases in
our community, all of which were resolved without death penalty verdicts and in ways that
helped the community begin to heal; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Williams is a fearless advocate who cares deeply about the indigent clients
that the Office of the Public Defender represents, and is dedicated to investigating every
fact, developing compelling mitigation, retaining high-quality experts and filing every
motion so that his clients receive the highest quality legal representation, as well as
providing guidance, inspiration, and mentorship to those around him;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Orange County Board of Commissioners
does hereby extend to James E. Williams, Jr., our sincere and steadfast appreciation for his
dedicated service to the Office of the Public Defender and to the residents of Orange
County, for helping our community be a more just and equitable place, and for embodying
the words of Thurgood Marshall, who said "You do what you think is right, and let the law
catch up".
This the 6th day of June, 2017.
Mark Dorosin, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners