For my first story as the Executive Director of the Justice Coalition’s resurface of the VA newspaper, online only at this time.  I thought it would be appropriate to  refresh the reason why the Justice Coalition exists and how we got to where we are today.

As many of you know the Justice Coalition was founded in July of 1995 by Ted Hires,  a local restaurateur and self-made successful businessman.  Ted owned four Sonny’s BBQ locations by the time 1995 rolled around and had been a victim of robbery several times, but in Feb. of 95, robbers decided to strike again, this time at the business office on Lane Ave.

Not only did the two dangerous men come in to demand money, but they also decided to harass and abuse Ted and his staff. They beat Ted, kicked him, and degraded him by making him crawl around on  all fours under the threat of death.  Ted said he had never been so afraid in his life and just knew his life was about to be over when one of the men put a gun to his head.

About this time however an unnamed manager that worked for Ted, walked in  unexpectedly and startled the robbers and a scuffle ensued between the manager, Ted and the robbers, and the robbers fled by way of motor vehicle and Ted and his manager pursued them in Ted’s work van while contacting law enforcement. A gun battle followed as Ted kept a handgun in the glove box of his van.  No one was injured and the robbers were later captured.

Next was the realization by Ted that after appearing in court, victim’s voices were not heard.  The criminal court system was just that, a system designed around the needs of the defendant.  No one doubts that the defendant should have their day in court, but what about the victim’s and their families or survivors as they are commonly referred?

In July of 1995 Ted founded the Justice Coalition to be that voice for victims. The Justice Coalition has stood for 29 years  as a leader in making sure victims’ voices are heard and their rights protected.

Although we work with law enforcement, the state attorney’s office, and the media, we are by no means sworn agents of these organizations or any organizations and are licensed by the state to represent victims of crime to ensure their rights are adhered to and they are informed of their rights.

We are the nonprofit of choice for victims’ rights in north Florida.  Although there are other agency victim advocates within the north Florida community, we give victims a choice as to who they want to represent them to achieve justice  in the court system.

As with Marsy’s Law Florida, we believe that victims should have the same or equal rights as the defendant under law, nothing more, nothing less. Thank you.

Respectfully,
Robert Bracewell
Executive Director