Blog – Alabama Appleseed

The State of Justice Blog

A New Job. A Christmas Party. His First-Ever Week of Paid Leave. Alvin Kennard, Once Sentenced to Die in Prison, Marks His First Year of Freedom.

Alabama prisons, Carla Crowder, Habitual Offender Law, News

By Carla Crowder, Executive Director Carla.Crowder@alabamaappleseed.org One year ago, Alvin Kennard stood in a Bessemer courtroom nervous and uncertain. Striped jailhouse scrubs swallowed his rail-thin, shivering frame. After 36 years…

A Disabled Black Veteran with Prescribed Medical Marijuana in His Car Played Air Guitar while Pumping Gas in Alabama. Now He’s Going to Prison.

Fines and Fees, Habitual Offender Law, Leah Nelson, Marijuana reform, News

By Leah Nelson, Appleseed Research Director | Leah.Nelson@alabamaappleseed.org PICKENS COUNTY — Sean and Eboni Worsley’s nightmare began with music a police officer found too loud for his liking. It was August 2016, and the Worsleys…

Introducing Appleseed Legal Fellow Alex LaGanke

News

My name is Alex LaGanke, and I am thrilled to be joining Alabama Appleseed as a Legal Fellow. Appleseed is bringing me on to grow our presence in criminal and municipal courts where low-income people lack legal representation. My contribution…

Appleseed Network Response to the Murder of George Floyd and the Fight Against Systemic Racial Injustice

News

Alabama Appleseed is proud to be a member of the Appleseed network of 18 centers across the United States and Mexico. Collectively our network stands in solidarity with Black voices and Black-led movements mobilizing for change and releases…

Appleseed Welcomes 2020 Class of Summer Interns

Intern

Our team at Alabama Appleseed is pleased to be working with several terrific students this summer. Through remote internships, these students are advancing the cause for justice in Alabama and helping us with research, writing, data collection,…

Tuscaloosa's "Operation Safe Streets" Makes Tuscaloosa More Dangerous for Some

COVID-19, Fair Schools, Safe Communities, Fines and Fees, Leah Nelson, Marijuana reform, News

By Leah Nelson, Appleseed Research Director As Alabama struggles to contain Covid-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus that has gripped the world’s attention since January, law enforcement officials and judges across the state…