6. "what you need to know about johnnie cochran," by attorney alton maddox

by Prof. Dorian Ritchie II 10 min read

Fistfights in Court

The trial was long and bitter; often the jury had to be excused from the courtroom as yelling matches and even fistfights broke out among the rival factions.

A Ten-Year Delay

"Are you ready to testify?" Stanton asked his client as the former assistant district attorney took the stand.

Suggestions for Further Reading

Los Angeles Times: February 11, 1998, A12; February 12, 1998, A22; March 27, 1998, A18; July 9, 1998, A14; July 14, 1998, A12; July 28, 1998, A9; July 30, 1998, All; November 22, 1998, A26.

The Poor Understands Late Fees

The Poor Understands Late Fees © Use USPS only By Alton H. Maddox, Jr. (“Attorney-at-War”) Work Study Groups I did not say that the poor loves late fees. I said that the poor will pay late fees and exorbitant interest rates to […]

Meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions on MLK Day

Meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions on MLK Day By Alton H. Maddox, Jr. (“Attorney-at-War”) I will be meeting with Attorney General Jeff Sessions on Dr. King’s birthday. The initial question will be to ascertain if President Donald J. Trump a […]

Black Philosophy Matters

Black Philosophy Matters By Alton H. Maddox, Jr. ‘ (“Attorney-at-War”) United African Movement was established on August 17, 1988 with great reservations from Alton H. Maddox, Jr. Kwame Ture while a student at Howard University, had acquainted me with Philosophy and […]

Education

Maddox was born in Inkster, Michigan and grew up in Newnan, Georgia. He began practicing law in 1976, after graduating from Howard University (BA, 1967) and Boston College Law School (JD, 1971).

Clients

Maddox represented several alleged victims including the family of Michael Stewart, a Brooklyn man who died while in custody of the New York City Transit Police. Six officers were indicted for the death; all were found not guilty.

Disciplinary actions

In 1990, Maddox was indefinitely suspended by the Appellate Division of the State Supreme Court in Brooklyn after failing to appear before a disciplinary hearing to answer allegations regarding his conduct in the Brawley case.

Other activities

Maddox is a former Director of the National Conference of Black Lawyers Juvenile Defense Project. He is also the founder of the Center for Law & Social Justice at Medgar Evers College and co-sponsored the 1983 Congressional hearings on Police Brutality in New York City.

Personal life

He was married to Leola W. Maddox, who passed away in 2017. They had a son.