In the intricate web of the American criminal justice system, the initial appearance – the first time an individual appears before a court after an arrest – often flies under the radar. Yet, this preliminary stage holds profound implications for an individual’s life and the fairness of the entire system. Shockingly, unlike later stages of […] The post Rethinking the First Step: Why Meaningful Initial Appearances Matter for Justice and Equity appeared first on Safety and Justice Challe...