Geraldine Hines facts for kids

Geraldine S. Hines (born October 29, 1947) is a retired American judge. She made history by becoming the first black woman to serve on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This is the highest court in the state of Massachusetts. She was a judge there from 2014 to 2017.

She was chosen by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick in July 2014. The Governor's Council, a group that approves state appointments, voted 8–0 to confirm her. She took the place of Ralph D. Gants, who became the chief justice.

Early Life and Education

Geraldine S. Hines was born in Scott, Mississippi. She went to Tougaloo College in Madison County, Mississippi. Later, she earned her law degree, called a Juris Doctor, from the University of Wisconsin Law School.

A Career in Law and Justice

Judge Hines had a long and important career in law. She started helping people right after law school.

Working as a Public Defender

From 1973 to 1976, she worked as a public defender. This means she was a lawyer who helped people who could not afford their own legal help. She worked for the Roxbury Defenders Committee. From 1976 to 1978, she was in charge of this committee.

Private Law Practice

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Judge Hines worked in her own law firm. This is called private practice. She gained a lot of experience helping many different clients.

Becoming a Judge

In May 2001, she became a judge on the Massachusetts Superior Court. This is a trial court where many important cases are heard. In January 2013, she was promoted to the Massachusetts Appeals Court. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts.

Serving on the Highest Court

On July 31, 2014, Judge Hines was sworn in as a justice on the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. This was a very important moment because she was the first black woman to serve on this high court.

Important Court Decision

In August 2017, Justice Hines wrote an important decision for the court. The court decided that when a person cannot afford to pay bail, the court must explain why it set such a high amount. This decision was based on the idea that bail should not be used to keep someone in jail just because they are poor.

Retirement and Current Activities

Justice Hines retired in August 2017. She retired as she was nearing the age of 70, which is the mandatory retirement age for judges in Massachusetts. She now lives in Roxbury.

In 2022, she led a group chosen by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. This group helped find a new commissioner of the Boston Police Department. The commissioner is the head of the city's police force.

See also

• List of African-American jurists