Who we are
Reclaiming Our Options Together (ROOT) Legal is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated under “ROOT Legal, Inc.”Our tax ID number is 33-1736906. Our solicitation registration number is CH77193.
We are attorneys, former victims of crime, and former defendants who assist in building new networks for addressing interpersonal harm through both legal and community-based means. We are committed to protecting the rights and well-being of individuals navigating policing, courts, victim rights, and other forms of government supervision. Our mission is to provide means of non-carceral expression for victims of harm, slowly changing a culture centered on individualism and a lack of acknowledging the role played by unaddressed social issues in perpetuating those harms. By confronting the systemic inequalities that lead individuals into the prison pipeline and giving victims the option to seek the non-punitive solutions that they are actively asking for, this model shifts the focus from punishment to healing, effectively addressing the root causes of crime and preventing harm rather than reacting to it.
Our Mission
to Rebut misconceptions about public safety by Truly Listening to the voices of those affected by interpersonal harm—because they know best what Justice means to them. Through legal representation, mediation, community support, and social services, we strive to address victim dissatisfaction with the criminal justice system by Offering options that empower victims, defendants, and communities to address the Root CAUSES of harm. Rather than pursuing punitive measures that may not align with Victim’s needs and often result in further distress, we focus on facilitating their unique visions for justice and healing, Equipping COMMUNITIES with the tools necessary to foster meaningful and lasting change.
Our Goals
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Our Goals *
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Long-term: To create a future where public safety is thought of holistically, and we see our public investments focused on the strategies that truly keep people safe— housing, healthcare, employment, healthy relationships, and more.
Short-Term:
Pilot Program for Change: Research and implement innovative solutions that meet victims' desires for justice, moving beyond punitive measures.
Reclaiming Power for Everyday People: Organize community resources in Miami-Dade County to challenge failing systems and promote meaningful change.
Reforms: Publish data supporting innovative approaches to public safety, focusing on measures that prevent rather than respond to harm.
