Woman With A Troubled Past As A Teen Got A Second Chance From A Kind Judge, And Now She’s Graduated Law School

Carmen Allen Day’s journey from a troubled adolescent to a prospective legal professional shows the transformative impact of second chances within the judicial system.

At 34 years old, Day proudly walked the stage of Rutgers Law School in 2020 , a testament to her perseverance and the compassion of a judge who recognized her potential.

Seventeen years earlier, as a 17-year-old confronting probation for a juvenile offense, Day stood before New Jersey Superior Court Judge Charles Dortch.

Voicing her contrition and her aspirations for the future , she pleaded for leniency, promising to pursue a career in law if granted the opportunity .

Moved by her sincerity , Judge Dortch reduced her probation sentence from 18 months to a mere 6.

Reflecting on that pivotal moment , Day acknowledges it as the pivotal juncture that inspired her transformation . In 2019 , she revisited the same courtroom where her destiny was shaped, reuniting with Judge Dortch, now the presiding judge of the family division .

For Dortch, witnessing Day’s progression reaffirmed his faith in the justice system’s potential to instigate positive change .

Day’s journey to law school was fraught with challenges . Despite facing setbacks and hurdles, including two college dropouts, she persisted.

In 2015, she graduated with dual majors in political science and criminal justice , laying the groundwork for her legal aspirations.

Yet, the path to law school presented its own obstacles .

After grappling with the Law School Admission Test in 2017, Day encountered another setback . However, when Rutgers extended a conditional acceptance offer, she seized the chance, even if it meant enduring a grueling two-hour commute each day.

Throughout her odyssey, Day remained resolute in her commitment to honor the pledge she made to herself and Judge Dortch.

Her narrative serves as a poignant reminder that redemption knows no bounds, transcending past mistakes and circumstances.

As she embarks on her legal career , Day’s message resounds:

“You are not defined by your past. Your true essence lies in the choices you make and the person you aspire to become.”

The post Woman With A Troubled Past As A Teen Got A Second Chance From A Kind Judge, And Now She’s Graduated Law School appeared first on Shine My Crown .