Judge Anthony Lynn Burrell Hosts "Have Gavel, Will Travel"- Taking Law from Courtroom to Community

July 28, 2009 - PRLog -- Former Commercial Litigator, Assistant Cook County State's Attorney and Youth Advocate and Violence Prevention expert Judge Anthony Lynn Burrell will host "Have Gavel, Will Travel" on Chicago's CAN-TV. In addition to "In Studio" pieces the show is unique in that it plans to take cameras out into the community to discuss issues of law and justice.

 "I hope to take cameras out into the community and talk to students and other community members who live with the spectre of crime and violence on a daily basis" Judge Burrell said.

Produced by Chicago Clout's Patrick McDonough, the show hopes to focus not just on the problems the community faces with crime and violence, but also get community input on solutions to those problems.

"I grew up on Chicago's Westside" said Judge Burrell  " It always intrigued me that proposed solutions to problems in the community came from those outside it.  It's as if those who see it day to day, who live it, have nothing of value to add to the discussion -that they're merely there to stand before the camera at the tragedy to say how tragic it is. People who live in the communities affected by crime and violence have valid opinions and ideas on how to stop or decrease it. We need to hear those voices"

The death of his own cousin at the hands of a repeat felony offender changed Judge Burrell's life.

 "I left the State's Attorney's Office after my cousin Leticia's murder.  I took a look around and decided I could no longer be a part of a system I saw as merely "recycling" criminals. Particularly when they were being recycled right back into the community I came from. I  decided I needed to work with youth to try to prevent them from becoming the kind of miscreant that killed my cousin"

Judge Burrell worked with abused and neglected youth at Maryville Academy and Lutheran Family Services before joining the Chicago Public Schools to work with Paul Vallas on Youth Violence Prevention Initiatives and  Neighborhood Safety.

 "My working with youth at Maryville was an eye-opener" said Judge Burrell " I saw that there really is no such thing as a "bad child".  I saw firsthand that the best chance one has of altering negative behavior is in a child's early years.  Monsters are made, not born."

" I hope 'Have Gavel, Will Travel' will help young people think about the choices they make in life and that those choices not only affect them, but others around them. I want them to be individuals who follow their own path and not the crowd that may lead them to destruction.  I want them to know that they have value and their ideas have value.  That the world is a much bigger place than their neighborhood and that they should not settle for a jail cell when the world is open to them."

If you know a Chicago classroom or community organization interested in participating in "Have Gavel, Will Travel" please contact the show at Havegavelwilltravel@comcast.net.