The Truth About Second Chances

Eighteen years in the courtroom teaches you a few things. One of the most surprising?
People don’t fail because they’re bad.
They fail because they’re broken—and nobody noticed.

I’ve seen it time and again.
A young man on probation who never learned how to read.
A mom fighting addiction who’s never had anyone fight for her.
A business partner who signed a contract he didn’t understand.

The law can’t fix everything. But it can pause the damage.
It can say: Enough. Let’s try again.

Not every second chance works.
But I’ve learned this:
Second chances don’t just help the guilty.
They help us.

They remind us that justice isn’t just about punishment.
It’s about hope, dignity, and the belief that people can change.