Clarence Darrow Award Goes to Mike Randolph in the Macon Circuit

Assistant Public Defender Mike Randolph (left) is presented the Clarence Darrow Award by GPDSC Training Director, Burt Baker

Mike Randolph, Chief Juvenile Public Defender in the Macon Judicial Circuit was recently awarded the Clarence Darrow Courage Award.  This award is given each year on behalf of the Circuit Public Defenders to a public defender who has exemplified the qualities and courage of Clarence Darrow in the representation of an indigent person.  This year the award was presented at GPDSC’s New Attorney Training in Unicoi State Park near Helen, GA on January 19th.

Mike was given the award this year for his diligent defense work in the Lakendra Stephens case.  Ms. Stephens was a juvenile charged with murdering a “john” with a history of drug abuse, violence and mental illness, who, the defense argued, had imprisoned, threatened and beaten her.  Mike had many obstacles to deal with in this highly publicized and difficult case, including a hostile judge who openly mocked the defense theory during motions and placed unnecessary obstacles in the way of defense in obtaining discovery (all of which were ably surmounted).  Mike and his team of public defenders had to work very hard to gain the trust of his client, a troubled child who had early run afoul of the juvenile justice system and grown up bounced around between group homes, mental hospitals and other rehabilitive institutions, and to get her educational opportunities at the jail.  The result - Ms. Stephens’ charges were reduced to voluntary manslaughter with 15 years to serve.  She will be eligible for parole in 4.5-5.5 years.  Mike also worked with Ms. Stephens’ family in preparing parole opportunities.  Currently judges from the child’s hometown as well as law enforcement officers have agreed to support her effort.  At sentencing, the young lady thanked her attorneys.

Mike’s exemplary defense work in this and other SB440 and juvenile cases provides an inspiration to us all.