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1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: June 6, 2017 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 4-a <br /> SUBJECT: Resolution Honoring Judicial District 15B (Orange/Chatham) Public Defender <br /> James E. Williams, Jr. <br /> DEPARTMENT: County Manager/Criminal <br /> Justice Resource Office <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Caitlin Fenhagen, Criminal Justice <br /> Resolution Resource Office Manager, 919-245- <br /> 2303 <br /> PURPOSE: To consider a resolution honoring James E. Williams, Jr. for serving as the Public <br /> Defender for Judicial District 15B (Orange and Chatham counties) for twenty-seven (27) years. <br /> BACKGROUND: James E. Williams, Jr. served as the Public Defender for Orange and <br /> Chatham counties for 27 years. During this time, Mr. Williams led the development of innovative <br /> efforts to make the criminal justice system more equitable, including the creation of the <br /> Misdemeanor Diversion Program, the Public Defender Committee on Race and Equity, the <br /> Criminal Justice Resource Office, the North Carolina Commission on Racial and Ethnic <br /> Disparities, and the District 15B Racial Justice Taskforce. <br /> Mr. Williams consistently challenged racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal justice <br /> system in North Carolina, including racial bias in policing, unfair public housing admission <br /> provisions, high court costs and fees for indigent clients, inequitable pre-trial release and bail <br /> policies, institutional barriers to re-entry for formerly incarcerated persons, and police practices <br /> that target low-level crimes. <br /> The resolution extends the Orange County Board of Commissioners' appreciation for Mr. <br /> Williams' service to the Office of the Public Defender and to the residents of Orange County. <br /> FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of the <br /> Resolution. <br /> SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The following Orange County Social Justice goals are applicable <br /> to this item: <br /> • GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND <br /> INEQUITY <br /> The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color; <br /> religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or <br />