I did not begin to understand the importance of intellectual goals and how far passion for these goals can take an individual until life altering choices that I made defined the true meaning of these necessities in life for me. Although life itself is a continuous learning experience; these decisions helped begin my life’s learning experience. With the first lesson being, just because something negative occurs, the outcome can be positive.

The experience that changed my life was my being involved in a violent relationship. I was repetitively abused, both verbally and physically by my live in boyfriend. The result of this relationship was my shooting my boyfriend and accepting a plea offer of a ten years prison sentence. I was incarcerated for five years and two agonizing months. I was twenty years old when I was arrested with a one year old daughter. During my incarceration I had time to think about my life and the life of the people my behavior affected. I decided to pursue an education in Criminal Law. How a convicted felon was going to accomplish this goal was beyond me, but for the stake of my child I had to attempt this seemingly impossible fleet. While pursuing my education I was exposed to a diverse group of people; which has allowed me to interact with people from all walks of life.

Everyone as a human being has the responsibility to try and make society a better place to live, be it by working everyday to be a better person and expecting the same out of the people we surround ourselves with. The responsibility I have is to defend people charged of crimes and reaching out to people who are victims of domestic violence, because I am a survivor of domestic violence and have been incarcerated; I feel that I have a responsibility to encourage others in similar situations by showing them that they can over come their circumstances, if they believe in themselves, have a good support system, and trust themselves; I am an example of these facts. I know first hand how traumatic being in a violent relationship is and the affect incarceration can have on family, friends, and loved ones on both sides.  Some people feel that it is easy to get out of a violent relationship, but getting out may be the hardest thing for the victim to do.  I want to encourage people in violent relationships that their circumstances do not define them. I speak to people in the community about my past experiences. When I first spoke about what lead to my incarceration I was extremely embarrassed; however, helping individuals that may be on the same path as I was or lack motivation gives me pride that I fought to be licensed to practice law in Florida and Georgia. I am now a part of a life lesson to another.

Hopefully my experiences can encourage others to strive to achieve their goals, respect authority, and to believe in themselves. I became an attorney because I can appreciate being on the other side of the table. I can appreciate both sides, but because I have been incarcerated I know how terrified a person faced with criminal charges feel. I strongly believe in up holding the law and zealously defending my clients.