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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Where are you originally from?

I’m originally from Southside Jamaica, Queens (New York City), raised by a single mother who worked two jobs in order to put us through school. It was just like Detroit except we say “Yo” instead of “Doe” after “What up..?”

Q2. What made you become a Prosecutor?

Before graduating law school, a legal mentor saw my activism and said if I really wanted to ensure justice for my community, I should go into the prosecutor’s office to “police the police.” So that’s what I did!

Q3. Do you regret being a Prosecutor?

Absolutely not! I was the definition of a “Progressive Prosecutor.” Specifically, I was able to help a lot of Detroiters in that position: from abused women and children to the eldery. I used Advance Dispute Resolution methods, such as mediation, to help bring neighbors at war, or folks fighting over some petty drama together. Most importantly, because I had a deeper understanding of my community, I was able to help a lot of Detroiters avoid harmful records that would follow them for the rest of their lives. Also, I had the pleasure to see the “behind the scenes” of the prosecution of Mark Bessner, the former Michigan State Trooper convicted of involuntary manslaughter after he fired a taser at a teenager on an all-terrain vehicle who then crashed and died.

Q4. How else do you help the community?

I’m a mentor amongst other things. I volunteer with a group of brothers: doctors, lawyers, officers, ex-gang leaders, members of “Ceasefire Detroit”, and many others from all walks of life. We try to do as much as we can to help those in need.

Founder

Darnell T. Barton, Esq.

Darnell T. Barton is one of the rising stars in the Michigan legal community. After the death of Trayvon Martin, Mr. Barton felt compelled to bring more awareness to the plight of young black people and those disproportionately affected by what seemed to be an unjust system. Instead of pursuing a lucrative career in his native New York City, Mr. Barton moved to Dallas, Texas, where he began a three-year journey towards justice.

During law school, Mr. Barton sharpened his trial skills as a member of the Board of Advocates and the Mock Trial traveling team. He also completed a fellowship working with Dallas County elected officials to combat the “School to Prison Pipeline.” However, most notably, he founded an event titled “Community Thanksgiving,” where he led the charge to feed, and provide toiletries for over 300 less fortunate families every year while in law school.

Mr. Barton took an intern position in the “Violent Crimes Unit” at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office in Detroit, Michigan. There, as part of a “grand jury” process, he had first hand experience with extremely violent cases. Mr. Barton also has had experience in cases involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) & the FBI. Mr. Barton was also able to interview victims of gun violence, many of whom were young black men, and helped grieving mothers protect their children from death threats.

Later, being officially hired by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Mr. Barton handled hundreds of cases in court at the examination and misdemeanour court level. The Presiding Judge of the 36th District Court, Judge Kenneth King, personally requested Mr. Barton to be his courtroom prosecutor after seeing him thoroughly argue a motion in his courtroom. There, Mr. Barton completed hundreds of “Advance Dispute Resolution” methods to avoid another citizen going through the “system,” and to resolve the underlying issue that caused the victim to be victimized in the first place. Mr. Barton has since argued numerous cases involving OWI/DUI’s, Aggravated Assault to Simple Assault and Battery, Child Abuse, MDOP’s, Theft, Retail Fraud, Embezzlement, Stalking, Telecommunications Misuse, and various Weapons Offenses.

Mr. Barton is also a licensed National Basketball Association (NBA) Player Agent who can negotiate contracts on behalf of professional athletes. Part of his vision is to utilize his litigation background, coupled with his business acumen, to help young professional athletes from low income communities steer their careers from “going broke” after their playing days. Along with his hands on approach to community development, Mr. Barton also supports small businesses in developing their brands.