A candid, wide-ranging conversation with DA Lennise Washington reveals how a prosecutor can be both tough on violent crime and tender toward people caught in the system. We trace her journey from a solo law practice to the first black woman elected DA in Alabama, then into a role she’s actively redefining: coordinating multi-agency crackdowns, reviewing potential wrongful convictions, and standing with families at a yearly vigil that calls each loved one by name.

We dive into Operation Python, a targeted public safety task force that removes illegal guns and drug money while raising investigative standards. From there, Lennise opens up about the Conviction Integrity Unit, created to examine serious cases involving claims of actual innocence using advances in DNA and a modern understanding of eyewitness error. She shares how prevention holds the line too: the Helping Families Initiative interrupts the school-to-prison pipeline with assessments, services, and simple acts that keep kids learning and teachers informed. We also explore second-chance hiring fairs where a bell rings for every job offer, plus firearm buybacks that pair gift cards with gun locks and safety training to prevent tragedies before they happen.

Her most personal chapter is a breast cancer diagnosis discovered mid-campaign and a double mastectomy that she endured quietly while pushing forward. The experience sharpened her focus on purpose, service, and the belief that power equals choice—especially for young people and survivors of violence. By the end, you’ll hear a clear blueprint for justice that blends accountability, prevention, dignity, and measurable impact, all rooted in faith and a commitment to leave the office stronger than she found it.

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