Can They Do That? Understanding Prosecutorial Discretion (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781641055963)

Melba Pearson, a New York native, has called Miami home for over twenty years. After receiving her undergraduate degree at New York University (NYU), she completed her studies at Hofstra University(now Maurice Dean) School of Law. Ms. Pearson is the president of MVP Law, LLC. She served as the deputy director for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida for close to three years, working on criminal justice policy, voting rights, and other civil rights issues. Before joining the ACLU, Ms. Pearson was an assistant state attorney in Miami-Dade County for sixteen years. After prosecuting a variety of crimes, she was selected to join the Domestic Crimes Unit, focusing on serious domestic violence crimes as well as homicides for close to four years. In her next assignment, Ms. Pearson was integral to the relaunch of the Community Prosecution Unit, whose goal is partnering with the community to find creative solutions to prevent crime and provide outreach. She ended her prosecutorial career as the assistant chief in the Career Criminal/Robbery Unit, supervising junior attorneys while prosecuting homicides. Ms. Pearson is a frequent guest lecturer on a wide array of law enforcement concerns. She lectured nationwide to prosecutors on behalf of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). Sheserves as adjunct faculty for the University of Phoenix, and Bryant and Stratton College, teaching law to undergraduate as well as master's students. A prolific writer and blogger, she has published numerous popular and scholarly articles on topics including police encounters, domestic violence, crimes against women, criminal trial procedure, along with everyday legal issues.