Newark Attorney Georgia D. Reid recently appeared on 1 World Community Radio to discuss her journey to becoming an attorney and why it's important for people to understand their legal rights under the Constitution.
Ms. Reid began by explaining her background and what drove her to learn more about the law, citing her first time in court for a parking ticket. After the judge dismissed the case based on the evidence she presented, Ms. Reid was inspired to pursue law and educate others about their rights. She had a brief stint as an assistant prosecutor in the juvenile justice system and as a high school teacher, the latter of which she credits with helping her explain complex legal facts to clients. "The law isn't just about advocacy and writing long briefs and research; it's also about talking to everyday people who are your clients," Ms. Reid said. "So it's kind of a similar profession to teaching, in that way."
During the podcast, Ms. Reid stressed the importance of people understanding their rights and how those rights apply to their lives. She described the Constitution as a "unique animal" because it's a document designed to protect people from government overreach. She noted that fewer people know about it because it hasn't been a top priority in the country of late, and said it can be dangerous if people don't know how to protect themselves. She referenced her book "Know Your Rights: An Introduction to the Constitution for Young (and old) Adults" and gave examples, such as using the Fifth Amendment to remain silent rather than saying something that is potentially self-incriminating, which she said she has seen often in true-crime documentaries. "It just blows my mind," said Reid, "these people go into the interrogation room, and they open their mouth, and it all comes out. They spill the beans."
Georgia D. Reid is an associate in the Newark office of Lewis Brisbois and a member of the firm's General Liability practice. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Reid practiced general liability and construction litigation in New Jersey and New York and served as an assistant prosecutor. She also completed a judicial clerkship in the Somerset County Criminal Division from 2021 to 2022, where she clerked for the Honorable Peter J. Tober, P.J.Cr., and the Honorable Anthony F. Picheca (Ret.). She also teaches Legal Process to first year law students at Touro Law in Manhattan.
Listen to the full podcast episode here.