Lynneice Washington facts for kids

Lynneice Washington is an American lawyer who made history in Alabama. In 2016, she was elected as a deputy district attorney, a type of lawyer who represents the government in court cases. She became the first African American woman to hold this important job in the entire state of Alabama.

Early Life and Education

Lynneice Washington was born in Birmingham, Alabama. From a young age, she was fascinated by the justice system. Her mother hoped she would become a nurse or a teacher, but Lynneice was determined to go to law school.

At the time, becoming a lawyer was not a common career path for many in her community. Washington said her mother thought it seemed like an "impossibility." But she followed her dream, graduating from A. H. Parker High School. She then earned degrees from Auburn University at Montgomery and Miles Law School.

A Career in Law

After finishing her education, Washington began her career as a lawyer. In 2010, while running for a judge position, she faced a major personal challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She focused on her health and recovered, showing great strength and resilience.

Although she did not win that election, she continued to serve her community. In 2011, she was appointed as the main judge for the Bessemer District Municipal Court.

In 2016, Washington ran for deputy district attorney for the Jefferson County Bessemer Cutoff District. The election was very close, but she won by just 299 votes. She ran as a member of the Democratic Party.

Focus on Fairness

As a district attorney, Washington has focused on making the justice system fair for everyone. She works to make sure that people who are convicted of crimes are truly guilty. She also supports finding new ways to help people who have committed minor offenses stay out of jail. This can include community service or special programs instead of prison time.

Washington believes that jails are often too crowded. She has worked on programs to handle small offenses, like some types of harassment, with tickets instead of arrests. This helps police focus on more serious issues and keeps jails from becoming overcrowded.

A Notable Case

In 2019, Washington handled a very difficult and widely discussed case. A woman named Marshae Jones was involved in a fight that sadly led to the loss of her unborn baby. A grand jury, which is a group of citizens that reviews evidence, decided to charge Ms. Jones with manslaughter.

After reviewing all the facts, District Attorney Washington decided not to prosecute Ms. Jones. In a public statement, she explained that moving forward with the case was not in the "best interest of justice." She dismissed the case, and no further legal action was taken against Ms. Jones.