A year overflowing with remarkable results for our clients, families, loved ones, associates, and alliances. Let’s not forget the extraordinary benefits incurred to crime victims, communities, advocate groups, and just about all people and societies that touch the criminal defendant’s universe.
Some of you remember the determined – slow launch of Restore|Rekindle, our approach to genuine restorative justice pursuits which, when done right, benefits victims, offenders, citizenry, facilitators, the judiciary, legislative, and executive branch missions. Last year represented a sort of turning point for R|R as we finally completed the groundwork to launch full bore in Q3 of 2024. As societal norms continue to progress along with medical and behavioral science, the real value potential of R|R is beginning to blossom. Why? On balance, the victim side of the equation is accelerating with understanding the often gigantic mitigating causes of property crime, violent crime, rehabilitation, even a type of partnership with the “other side.” Especially within the mental health and juvenile circles, progress has exploded. Criminal offenders too are growing in understanding the ripple effects – the horrific and systemic impacts of their actions. We at Q|Nav think that talk is cheap. It all starts with full blown restitution and restoration – actual acts which evidence a changed heart, mind, and belief system. In some cases, paying back is impossible so paying forward in meaningful ways is the next best thing – sometimes with profound outcomes. Next is sustainability. It’s easy for offenders to do good short term; anyone can. Behavior modification must be proven repeatedly without hiccups. Here, we provide a type of AA sponsorship and fellowship to our reintegrating defendants. R|R turnkeys these procedures for (we hope) the benefit of everyone.
A few refreshers. First, keep in mind that we work for criminal defendants who are either about to enter the judicial system in pretrial, pre plea negotiations, or in most cases, clients who have already been convicted and are incarcerated.
2023, a Year of Impact
*We added 2 more research paralegal professionals
*We added a professional team of company phone, email, and text receptionists
*We added 2 staff attorneys
*We added 2 consulting attorneys
*We added a Chief Administrative Officer
*We added a client communications director
*We added a legislative, judiciary, and executive research intern
*We added an Executive VP specialist for Conviction integrity, review, and Veterans benefits integration
Client Achievements – please see our website menu “services” for portal identification
Specialized client testimonial advocacy for Q|Nav for each of the achievements below are proudly provided upon request.
Q1 Portal
The Beginning. We assisted (often as team leader) over two dozen clients in the earliest possible stages of allegations, charges, accusations, information (charging) and indictments.
Q2 Portal
Conviction and Sentencing. The time period between conviction (trial) and sentencing is often 2, 3 or months, or longer. Pleas often settle far faster with planning required throughout the plea negotiation process. We assisted over 10 clients, families, and loved ones with hands-on strategic planning at this phase.
Q3 Portal
Incarceration. The harsh realities of the day-to-day life of an inmate demands courageous and experienced mentors, agents, lawyers, and negotiators. We achieved impressive results for our clients, numbering in the hundreds of successful events. From custody and classification, to medical, visiting, or earned/good time credits (and dozens of challenges in between), our team fights just as hard and competently as we do in post-conviction
Q4 Portal
Post-conviction Remedies. Nothing else we do matters if we don’t succeed with early release. Clients often tell us that this is where the rubber meets the road and where we are most admired. The number of years given back – the smiles when lifers go home are incalculable. Results for 2023 blew away the competition who happens to be us – 2020, 2021, 2022. We are aware that state supreme and superior courts address many of the charging and sentencing deficiencies particularly when inspected from the changing societal norm perspective. SCOTUS in DC is a similar and even more compelling story. Here, Q|Nav has prepared for a heightened role for amicus curiae petitions, class action civil plaintiff litigation, and assisting lawyers with oral argument and brief crafting exercises when dealing with fields where we possess unique knowledge and passion.
Q5 Portal
Pre-release, Re-entry, and Post-release. If we have a disappointing or marginal result for 2023, Q5 portal is it. We succeeded in building the right sub-team, but we have not attained the consistent results which we demand of ourselves. 2024 will certainly be our year of breakthrough. We challenge ourselves to continually answer the question: “What good are we if we help worthy defendants achieve liberty – then leave them hanging without a real chance at societal success?” Employment, housing, transportation, family counseling and planning are the key movers especially immediately upon release. We want to become the leaders from the turnkey viewpoint of reintegration, liberty, parole success, and actively assist our client families with jobs, a home, a car, a counselor, a chance.
Q6 Portal
Juvenile Criminal Compartment. Last year was a time of transition for us. Q6 is a two-fold effort. First, keeping youngsters out of the criminal justice system. Second, when juveniles do enter the system, our primary focus is charging and sentencing mitigation with a capital M. Here we really shine. A 20 year sentence handed down to a 17 year old for a non-violent crime doesn’t do anyone any good. A 5 year prison sentence with a post release intensive management, therapeutic, and educational program, is the key more times than not. With respect to advocates and counselors, it’s our purpose to get these kids home ASAP mostly because we promise you, nothing good comes from extra years rotting in a prison cell. The numbers speak for themselves. Nobody does this better than we do. What’s the real answer? Never entering the criminal justice system in the first place. We are not sure how best to contribute here on a macro scale, and invite everyone’s ideas.
Q7 Portal
Legislative Causes. No Q|Nav work portal blew the lid off more than Q7 in 2023. The U.S. Congress and each state’s legislature comprises of stars and superstars in quest for criminal justice TRUE reform and correction. The job is beyond huge. We use data to prove our points, particularly in statutory charging and sentencing MAJOR positive refinement. 2023 was a winner from any perspective. Measuring success by blue lining, redlining, modifying, and complete statutory elimination, we proudly admit our influential role particularly with felony murder, habitual offender, juvenile sentencing, extreme indifference enhancements, crime of violence proportionality reviews, special needs release, determinate life sentences with statutory release dates and parole, retroactive stipulations, and more. 2024 begins the legislative journey with our founder’s grandson leading the legislative charge.