Law Enforcement System: Accountability and Loopholes with Louis Molina and Karla Cruel

In this episode, we look at the law enforcement system from two different perspectives, a correctional executive and a lawyer activist provide insights into how the system is, and how it needs to change. Our guests are Louis Molina and Karla Cruel: bios below. 

Louis Molina is a second generation, decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, with over twenty years of experience in the public sector, namely in the criminal justice arena having uniquely worked in policing, the District Attorney’s office and corrections. His current role has allowed him to operationalize sustainable criminal justice reform practices that advance the principles of social justice in an effort to break the cycle of poverty, crime and abuse.  Louis believes that in order to improve the criminal justice system and enhance the impact of social services, these systems need strategic disruption in how they are managed in order to address today’s challenges.  Louis is currently the First Deputy Commissioner, Westchester County Department of Correction and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Chaminade University, a Master in Public Administration degree from Marist College School of Management, Master of Arts degree in Human Rights Studies from Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, studied abroad at University of Cambridge, United Kingdom and was a United States Department of Justice/Office of Justice Programs National Institute of Justice Scholar for Law Enforcement, advancing the infusion of research and evidence into policing policy and practice from 2014 to 2017.   

Karla L. Cruel, Esq., a former educator, now social entrepreneur who launched Legal Empowerment Group to educate and support lower-to-middle income individuals. She worked as staff attorney for Tenant Union Representative Network (TURN), assisting with Philadelphia’s Eviction Prevention Project. Having grown up in West Philadelphia, attending academic programs created to help poor minority children go to college, now she holds three degrees. Throughout her schooling, she has been promoting social equality and racial and religious reconciliation. After living in Japan for 4.5 years, Ms. Cruel returned to the US to have a greater impact on the community in which she was raised. Through the encouragement of her students, Ms. Cruel attended and graduated from Drexel University’s Thomas Kline School of Law. She has practiced law in various areas including criminal law, family law, landlord-tenant law, business law, charter school law and other civil transactional and litigation. Karla L. Cruel is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania. Ms. Cruel also holds a master’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University in criminal justice is a mentor, speaker, educator and community advocate. Karla has also given back to her community through volunteering with and serving as a member of Christian Legal Services’ Board of Directors, teaching at Temple University’s Pan-African Studies Community Education Program, serving on the Board of Directors of Imhotep Charter School, and teaching legal education workshops at Imhotep’s Communiversity. Even ran for a Philadelphia District City Council seat in 2019. She is the recipient of the Outstanding Law Student Award from the National Association of Women Lawyers and the Pro Bono Award from Drexel University Law School and First Judicial District in 2019 for her working in Landlord-Tenant court.

Resources mentioned on the show:
Contact: Louis Molina
www.LouisMolina.com

Karla Cruel email: kcruel@legalempowermentgroup.net

Originally aired on June 19, 2020.