Criminal Justice Reform Archives

Felony Friday 089 – First Time Drug Charge Lands Mother in Prison for Life

Posted on September 15, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Clemency, Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, War on Drugs Leave a comment

On today’s episode recent clemency recipient Ramona Brant joins the show to share her powerful story. In 1995, Ramona was sentenced to life in prison for a cocaine offense related to her then-boyfriend’s drug dealing. At her sentencing the judge said he was “shocked at the severity of the sentence,” BUT he had no legal discretion to sentence her to less time. Ramona spent 20 years in prison, before finally receiving a commutation from President Obama in 2015, and was released to

Felony Friday 083 – It is Time to Legalize Marijuana

Posted on August 4, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, Liberty & Law, War on Drugs Leave a comment

On today’s episode of Felony Friday host John Odermatt unveils a unique format for the show. Instead of being joined by a guest, this is a special, first of a kind solo show hosted by John. As always on Felony Friday, there are some incredible topics to analyze. First, John talks about a couple criminal justice stories that you should be sharing and discussing with your friends. Next, he weighs in on some stories that have been discussed in the

Two Amazing Liberty Causes to Support: A Lions of Liberty Podcast Double Feature!

Posted on July 24, 2017 by Marc Clair

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Liberty & Law, Podcast, Politics 1 Comment

On today’s episode, Marc brings you a double dose of liberty with TWO interviews featuring TWO amazing liberty causes – that’s right, it’s a Liberty Double Feature! First, former Libertarian Party Presidential candidate Steve Kerbel pops in to tell us about his fight against government revenue generation via traffic fines with his “Stop the Shakedowns” ballot measure in Colorado! Then, Shaine Robbins of the Libertarian Party of Tennessee stops by to give us an update on everything that has been

Felony Friday 070 – Beth Curtis’ Brother is Serving a Life Sentence for Pot

Posted on May 5, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, War on Drugs 2 Comments

Today on Felony Friday we welcome Beth Curtis on the show. Beth is the founder of Life for Pot. Life for Pot is an organization that spotlights offenders who have received life sentences without Parole for marijuana offenses. Beth started the organization after her younger brother, John Knock, was found guilty of three conspiracy charges and given a sentence of two life terms, for a first time non-violent marijuana offense. John’s experience in the criminal justice system motivated Beth to

Felony Friday 068 – Nazgol Ghandnoosh Asks: Do Violent Offenders Serve too Much Time?

Posted on April 21, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, Liberty & Law 1 Comment

On today’s show host John Odermatt is joined by Nazgol Ghandnoosh from the The Sentencing Project. Nazgol studied Economics at the University of Pennsylvania, before moving to Los Angeles for graduate school. She received a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Nazgol has worked as a researcher for the consulting firm Monitor Group and at Columbia University’s National Center for Children in Poverty. In Los Angeles, she contributed to “Ban the Box” reform efforts to enhance employment

Felony Friday 067 – Malik King Provides Inspiration for Inmates

Posted on April 14, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, War on Drugs 7 Comments

On today’s episode of Felony Friday Malik King joins host John Odermatt. Malik is the Prison Outreach Coordinator for the Can-Do Foundation. On Episode 65 of this show we spoke to the founder of the Can-Do Foundation, Amy Povah. Malik is a Prisoner Activist and advocate who opposes mandatory minimums, cruel and unusual punishment and torture, including solitary confinement or draconian sentences that do not fit the crime. Malik’s incredibly dedicated to maintaining his communication with prisoners. He has a

Felony Friday 065 – Amy Povah from Convicted Conspirator to Clemency Crusader

Posted on March 31, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, War on Drugs 2 Comments

Today the founder of the CAN-DO Foundation, Amy Povah, joins Felony Friday to share her remarkable story. The CAN-DO Foundation is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit foundation that advocates clemency for all non-violent drug offenders. When Amy was 28 years old, she was convicted on a conspiracy charge and received a 24 year sentence. She received such a harsh sentence due to the fact that she refused to cooperate with federal officials who were attempting to infiltrate her then husband’s massive

Felony Friday 063 – The First “Is this a Crime” Round Table Discussion

Posted on March 17, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons 2 Comments

On today’s episode of Felony Friday host John Odermatt is joined by his fellow Lions of Liberty Podcast co-founders Marc Clair and Brian McWilliams. Marc, Brian and John analyze some controversial topics during this first of a kind “Is this a Crime” round table discussion. We have three shows per week on Felony Friday and it’s all free. Do you want more content? If you do, then you’re in luck because you can gain access to exclusive content from the

Electric Libertyland Ep. 7: Trump Makes an Asset Forfeiture of Himself

Posted on February 15, 2017 by Brian McWilliams

Posted in Comedy, Criminal Justice Reform, Current Events, Podcast, Politics, Rand Paul, War & Peace 3 Comments

Image courtesy of Dan Smotz at Goulash Media On this week’s Electric Libertyland host Brian McWilliams takes umbrage with several top of mind topics, including Meryl Streep’s new Trumpian Martyr Complex, the newest anti-smoking Truth.org campaign titled #StopProfiling, the government’s handling of the Oroville Dam problem in Northern CA, and a Georgia bill that would limit prescriptions to 5 day increments. Brian then welcomes friend in liberty J.B. Lubin to discuss a new wrinkle in the “can protesters block traffic?” discussion,

Felony Friday 057 – Former Felon With Gun Rights Restored Saved Trooper In Arizona

Posted on February 3, 2017 by John Odermatt

Posted in Criminal Justice Reform, Felons, Podcast, Police State, War on Drugs 1 Comment

On today’s episode Felony Friday host John Odermatt is joined by fellow Lions of Liberty co-founder Marc Clair. Marc and John kick off the show by discussing Donald Trump’s controversial immigration executive order. Next they touch on the horrible mosque shooting in Quebec and share a few oddities the media has reported about the circumstances of the shooting. Links to everything we talked about: Mohamed Khadir’s Name Retracted by Police in Quebec City Shooting Louisiana Law Makes Resisting Arrest A