SPACE COAST PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE FIRST THURSDAY EVENT: POLICING THE POLICE

America is a nation of laws. Every citizen expects laws at the federal, state, and local level to be enforced fairly, and that no one is above the law. Police enforce our laws and pride themselves as the “Thin Blue Line” that separates citizens from criminal chaos.

But who’s policing the police? This month, the SCPA takes a look at what happens when our system of oversight and checks and balances fails. Our panel of experts will examine the good, the bad, and the ugly aspects of law enforcement in America, and on the Space Coast.

Across our nation, police save lives every day. Sadly, they take lives as well, and in many communities, they are feared as much as criminals. The thin blue line is often quite blurry, suffering from the same racism, brutality, and violence that infects society at large. We place police officers in the untenable position of coping with our community’s homeless population, rampant mental illness and drug addiction epidemics, and ever- present poverty and racial discrimination.

Of great concern is the recent rise of the “Constitutional Sheriff” or “Sovereign Sheriff” movement, in which a county sheriff holds himself as the supreme law enforcer – above state and federal authorities. The concept of an authoritarian sheriff that holds himself as the sole, and ultimate legal authority is terrifying!

Please join us as we examine these issues, and welcome you to join in the discussion during our Q&A session.

Panelist Bios:

*Jessica J Travis Esq.- Attorney 
Attorney Jessica J. Travis is the owner of the law firm DefendBrevard.com in Viera, Florida. She has practiced both trial and appellate law for over twenty-four years. Jessica represents those charged with crimes, injured in an accident, who have been victimized, and those who have their civil rights violated.

Notably, Jessica represented Florida Today in their case against Wayne Ivey to obtain the Gregory Edwards jail video. She was co-counsel in a suit against the Brevard County Commission for open meetings violations that prompted changes in the rules and settlement. Jessica represented seven sex offenders who were incarcerated for being homeless and, in conjunction with the Public Defender’s Office, got all cases dismissed.

Jessica has ongoing civil cases for the children of Passion Lucas who was killed by a DUI driver that went uncharged until Jessica’s involvement. Jessica represents Jennifer Jenkins in her public records fight and has a pending defamation lawsuit against Sheriff Ivey for featuring her client on the Wheel of Fugitive, when he was not a fugitive.

Jessica has been recognized as a Super Lawyer and a Top 100 criminal defense lawyer by The National Trial Lawyers. She is also the secretary for both the Brevard County Bar Association and the Space Coast League of Women Voters.

Jessica has no spare time – Brevard keeps her busy.
https://defendbrevard.com/

*Alton Edmond Esq. – Attorney
Alton Edmond was born on August 5, 1989 and raised in Harlem just outside of Clewiston, Florida. His humble upbringing by his single mother on a fixed income pushed him to pursue academic excellence. Consequently, he graduated from Clewiston High School with honors in 2007.

He went on to attend the University of Florida where he graduated in May of 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Sociology with a Minor in Education.

Thereafter, Alton enrolled at Florida A & M College of Law and graduated in May 2014 with his Juris Doctor Degree.

Upon his graduation from Florida A & M College of Law Alton took the July 2014 Florida Bar Exam and passed it. In doing so he achieved his dream of becoming a licensed attorney when he was cleared to practice law on December 2, 2014 at the age of 25,which he had aspired to since the age of 5. Alton Edmond is currently an Attorney, College Professor, Community Leader and Motivational Speaker. He desires to continue sharpening his litigation skills while remaining committed to involvement in the community, through empowerment, music and motivational speaking.
https://www.edmondinspiration.com/