How Do We Achieve Equality and Equal Justice?

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” – Dr. Martin Luther King

Flynn Duncan Broady, Jr. was born in Queens, NY, August of 1963. He is third generation military and his father and Grandfather served in the Army, so naturally, he was exposed to military life at an early age.  To serve his country and defend its constitution were embedded in him early on. Below he speaks about his journey into law, and how he will work towards his aim of ensuring equality for all.

“Most of my childhood was during the Vietnam War.  During that time, I didn’t watch much television, unless it was about war or our American history.  I was so entrenched in the life of a soldier that I thought, for most of my life, I would grow up, get drafted, and go off to war, never to return.  I had even decided that I wanted my burial to be in Arlington Cemetery.

“During my father’s military career, my family and I moved around a lot.  We lived in New York, New Jersey, Georgia, Germany and Kentucky before settling in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Traveling the world as a child, I attended school and had friends of all nationalities. Birmingham was the first place that I lived and attended a school that lacked diversity.  That experience changed my life.  I began to read and gain knowledge about inequality, racism and hate.  I knew at that time that I wanted to make a difference and that equality was not an unreachable ideal.

“I graduated high school as Valedictorian and earned an Engineering Scholarship to Tennessee State University.  Because of my desire to serve my country and help my mother, who at that time was struggling to care for four children, due to my parent’s divorce, I completed one year at Tennessee State University before enlisting in the Army.

“I enlisted in September of 1982 and was shipped out for basic training to Ft. Benning, GA in November.  That was an incredible experience for me.  I met people from all over the United States and from every socioeconomic background.

“The military taught me a lot about myself, about others, and most importantly, how to lead and get things done.  I served for 26 years, including three overseas tours.  I served in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Infantry First Sergeant.  Leading Alpha Company 1^st Battalion 6^th Infantry Regiment of the 1^st Armored Division and being a Platoon Sergeant in the 101^st Airborne Division were the highlights of my career.

“While in the service, I continued my education, one class at a time.   I obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Management from Austin Peay State University.  During my assignment to teach ROTC at Seton Hall University, I attended Seton Hall University’s School of Law and obtained my Juris Doctorate.   Upon retirement, I used the rest of my GI Bill to obtain a Master’s in Public Administration at Kennesaw State University.

“In June of 2008, I moved to Georgia and took the bar exam.  I immediately began submitting my resume in search of a position as a City or State prosecutor.  The first office I visited was the Cobb County Solicitor General’s office.  Shortly thereafter, I was interviewed, made an offer and accepted a position as an Assistant Solicitor General.  I was ecstatic.

“During my time with the Cobb County Solicitor General’s Office, I have prosecuted all types of misdemeanors, from simple traffic violations to domestic violence charges.  In April 2015 I left the Solicitor General’s Office and accepted the position of Coordinator for the Cobb County Veterans Accountability and Treatment Court.  This position provided me the opportunity to give back to the many Veterans who had gotten in trouble with the law due to their military service and/or substance abuse.

“I got married and returned to the Solicitor General’s Office in 2017.   I currently serve as the DUI Court prosecutor.  As a prosecutor in Cobb County, the thing I appreciate the most is the wide amount of discretion we are given as it pertains to cases, not to say that we have unlimited discretion because we don’t.  However, when we see injustice, we are able to make a difference, and with that carries great responsibility.  We expect the same from our leaders in Washington and at the state level, which is why I’ve decided to seek the office of Georgia’s 11^th Congressional District House of Representative.”

What changes do you think are necessary to reform criminal justice in 2018?

One of the issues I am passionate about is Criminal Justice Reform.  Criminal Justice Reform is critical to all citizens and is normally the first step in perceiving equality among our diverse citizens.

Key to Criminal Justice Reform is:

1. Placing an emphasis on the front end for our young men and women by providing mentors, activities and guidance, and allowing our youth to grow up and fulfill their potential. Many of our young men and women are raising themselves and learning about life through bad influences. To prevent this, funding must be provided for after school activities, boys and girls clubs, police athletic leagues and other similar programs. Once again, this requires an upfront investment in our youth, one that will pay dividends, as our youth will receive the direction and guidance needed to be good upstanding citizens.

2. Adequately funding our public defender programs to ensure that the needs of defendants, who are otherwise placed at a distinct disadvantage in our criminal justice system, are being met. Too often the perception of inequality exists at all levels of the criminal justice system. For our minority populations that perception is their reality. By properly funding public defender offices we can reverse that perception, and in doing so, improve the relationship between our minority communities and the criminal justice system.

3. Accountability Courts: In recent years funding has been provided for accountability courts. Accountability courts provide treatment for those involved in the criminal justice system with substance abuse, mental health and or issues brought on by service in the military.  The accountability courts have been very successful in reducing recidivism and attacking the core issues responsible for bringing its participants before the court and returning its participants to the community as productive tax paying members. These courts need to be expanded and that expansion will need to be funded.   This initial investment will reap the benefits of lower numbers incarcerated at all levels. Doing so saves local governments money while at the same time increasing tax revenues.

As both the Veterans Court Coordinator and DUI Court Prosecutor, I have seen the amazing transition Accountability court graduates make from initially becoming part of the court program to completing the court program.

Equality, in all forms, is vital for the societal growth; how do you aim to achieve this?

As a lawyer, it is important to approach every issue from as many sides as possible, to gain a better understanding.  We as a nation must remember the ideals upon which our nation was founded.  The inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness are not only highlighted by the Declaration of Independence but guaranteed in our Constitution’s Bill of Rights. As a Congressman, I will understand that one’s rights only extend to the point that they don’t interfere with the rights of another.  Approaching all issues from many different perspectives, I will seek out the solutions that promote the welfare of our citizens and the sustainment of our environment.  I pledge to work with all parties to do what is best for our constituents. While at the same time stand up for those without a voice. My moral compass will never waiver, my integrity will never be in question.  My values will always reflect equality, opportunity and justice for all.

All great attorneys are zealous advocates for their clients.  At the same time, they exhibit and maintain their morals, values and integrity, and never waiver from them.  I have stood in the gap against our enemies on the battlefield.  I have represented the people of Cobb County with the highest degree of integrity, never wavering my morals or values.  As a Congressman, I will do the same because that is who I am.

Equality is not an unreachable ideal.

Flynn Broady for Congress

flynn@flynnbroadyforcongress.org

flynnbroadyforcongress.org

305 Lawrence St

Marietta, GA 30060

(770) 686-5660