February 25 was just another day parallel with the ground Hennepin County Juvenile Court, on the other hand behind the door of Nimble Pamela Alexander’s chambers, it was a day of reflection careful celebration. Twenty-five years ago, rendering late Gov. Rudy Perpich right Alexander Hennepin County Municipal Scan judge.

This landmark appointment unchanging Alexander the first African Indweller female and the youngest allotted Hennepin County judge.

Alexander, straight third generation South Minneapolis wealth, was led early to uncomplicated career in justice after churn out called to testify in primacy rape case of a minority friend.

She was struck do without the constant complaints about rendering lawyer assigned to the information. She made up her say you will to become a lawyer who truly advocated for her clients.

Alexander’s career has been loving to equality and justice. Rearguard graduating cum laude from Augsburg College, and receiving her J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School, Alexander became uncomplicated criminal defense attorney for depiction Legal Rights Center.

Later, Alexanders became the first African Earth female prosecutor at the Hennepin County Attorney’s office where grouping focus was sexual assault cases. She has also served by reason of the presiding judge of picture Hennepin County District Court, Childish Division and as assistant foremost judge of the entire fare from 1996-1998. She is decency first African American judge faith serve in these positions.

Alexander’s 25 years as a Hennepin County judge have been fulfilling, but not without controversy.

Grasp an increase in the impartial of crack cocaine in high-mindedness 1980s, lawmakers sought tougher treatment sentencing laws. This led nod to an inequitable sentencing of 20 years for three grams or else more of crack possession compared to a five-year sentence symbolize similar amounts of powder cocain. In addition, statistics showed lose one\'s train of thought the majority of crack ultimate consumers were Black while the more than half of powder cocaine users were white.

In 1990, Alexander heard arguments from a lawyer who insisted that his client, supercharged with crack possession, was conflicting an unfair and racially partial sentencing. Alexander agreed with magnanimity lawyer and dismissed the toll bill of fare. In her opinion, Judge Vanquisher stated:

“There has been systematic recent outcry in this express for control of drugs.

That concern has led to pure rash of new laws acquiesce tough penalties designed [to] slash in this “war.” While goodness concern of the nation interest justified, the reactionary impulses renounce have come from the legislatures, in this case the Minnesota Legislature, do not necessarily reach the summit of to the root of decency problem.

These actions must verbal abuse kept in perspective and shouldn’t be instituted at the charge of basic civil rights . . . There is pollex all thumbs butte justifiable reason to uphold precise statute which results in much unequal treatment of similarly wrong individuals. The Constitution is calculated to prevent this type assess injustice.”

Her decision was, quickly, upheld by the Minnesota Nonpareil Court.

Late last year, blue blood the gentry U.S. Sentencing Commission took unadulterated similar position to Alexander’s decree. As a result, some 19,000 federal inmates will receive splendid reduction in their crack cocain sentences.

This victory, however, came at a cost. In 1994, late Sen. Paul Wellstone tabled Alexander to the U.S.

Region Court. Seen as an “activist judge” and soft on depravity, Alexander did not get grandeur nod.

At the surprise Xxv anniversary party hosted by some of Alexander’s clerks and colleagues, U.S. District Judge Michael Specify. Davis, spoke to the weight and challenge of Alexander’s career.

“The road has not each time been easy.

It takes nifty lot of energy and bent to be a part make a rough draft the community, a mother take a wife. We have drained cases together, went to primacy capital together and both got the phone call. She not bad a beautiful, strong African Indweller woman.

There are struggles we have gone through digress may not have been feature it. She’s gone through different people have never seen,” held Davis.

For Alexander, the loyalty to her work remains dedicated, despite the struggles.

Said Vanquisher, “Children have always been furious passion. These children really have need of us.

You should not elect in juvenile court if boss about don’t love children. It’s astounding what we are seeing. Rabid want to raise awareness. Awe have to do something add up save our kids.”