Geraldine Hines facts for kids

Geraldine S. Hines (born October 29, 1947) is an American retired judge. She served as a judge on the highest court in Massachusetts, called the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, from 2014 to 2017. She was chosen for this important role 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

Starting as a Public Defender

From 1973 to 1976, Ms. Hines worked as a public defender for the Roxbury Defenders Committee. A public defender is a lawyer who helps people who cannot afford to hire their own lawyer. She then became the attorney in charge of the Roxbury Defenders Committee from 1976 to 1978.

Working in Private Practice

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Geraldine Hines worked in private practice. This means she worked for a law firm or had her own law office, representing different clients.

Becoming a Judge

In May 2001, she became a judge on the Massachusetts Superior Court. This court handles serious criminal cases and major civil lawsuits. In January 2013, she was promoted to the Massachusetts Appeals Court, which reviews decisions made by lower courts.

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

Important Court Decisions

In August 2017, Justice Hines wrote an important decision for the court. The court decided that when a person cannot afford to pay bail (money paid to get out of jail before a trial), the courts must explain why they set such a high amount. This decision was based on the Excessive Bail Clause, which protects people from unfair bail amounts.

Retirement and Later Work

Justice Hines retired in 2017 because she was approaching the mandatory retirement age of 70 for judges in Massachusetts. She now lives in Roxbury.

In 2022, after her retirement, Hines led a special group chosen by Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. This group helped search for a new leader, called a commissioner, for the Boston Police Department.

See also

• List of African-American jurists

References