  Leoqueen Member Username: Leoqueen Post Number: 1690 Registered: 07-2004 |
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20071227/U PDATE/712270467/1263/OBITUARIE S Justin (Chuck) Ravitz, an activist lawyer and former Detroit Recorders Court judge whose legal brilliance and challenges of the law enforcement establishment made him a local cult figure, died Wednesday at his vacation home in Mexico. He was 67 and apparently died of a heart attack. Mr. Ravitz served on Recorders Court, the felony court for Detroit, from 1973-1986. From 1986 to early this year, he was a partner and civil litigator at Sommers, Schwartz, Silver and Schwartz P.C. He joined the Hertz Schram P.C. firm in Bloomfield Hills this summer to specialize in mediation work and established the Ravitz Mediation Services L.L.C. "In the short time he was at Hertz Schram, he became a favorite to all and was greatly respected and hoped to nourish this third phase of his career. He will be greatly missed personally and professionally," said Victor Norris, the firm's managing partner. In a turbulent period in Detroit history in the late 1960s and 70s, Mr. Ravitz and his partner, the late Kenneth Cockrel Sr., rose to prominence as they waged a battle with the Detroit police department and the city to disband a controversial police undercover decoy unit called STRESS (Stop the Robberies -- Enjoy Safe Streets) that was blamed for the deaths of 20 persons, mostly African Americans. The two also brought to light deplorable conditions for inmates in the Wayne County Jail. Their efforts brought reform to Wayne County jury selection system that excluded African Americans. | ||
Urbanoutdoors Member Username: Urbanoutdoors Post Number: 669 Registered: 11-2005 |
He lived one street over from me as a kid and my sister used to babysit his son. He was a great man and will be missed. | ||
Omaha Member Username: Omaha Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2007 |
I first ran into Justin “Chuck” Ravitz in relation to a book discussion group called “Control, Conflict, and Change” and later, I think, “From the Ground Up.” I was a “hanger-on” far from the inner circle of movers and shakers. I didn’t see the intense discussions about the correct way to “educate, agitate, and mobilize” those of us who met on a monthly basis to learn more about the injustice that had historically taken place in our nation’s history and what was needed to turn that around. Chuck was an inspiration to many who wanted this nation to more closely live up to the ideals on which it was founded. I remember he made those in his court stand when the jury entered the court room not merely when the judge entered the room. Chuck, Kenny C., and Sheila M. were, together with many others, involved in that period fighting the good fight. Ironically, Chuck’s family was originally from Omaha and moved to Detroit. I did just the opposite in the mid ‘70s and didn’t follow what happed after leaving Detroit. Chuck, like Kenny, left us too soon and will be missed. | ||
Jjaba Member Username: Jjaba Post Number: 5849 Registered: 11-2003 |
Wasn't Ravitz the socialist judge? Omaha, welcome to The Forum. jjaba, on the Westside. | ||
Clermont Member Username: Clermont Post Number: 21 Registered: 09-2007 |
as a young public defender, justin ravitz and ken cockrel were both great inspirations to me. i am very sorry to hear of his death. | ||
Oldredfordette Member Username: Oldredfordette Post Number: 3537 Registered: 02-2004 |
I think he described himself as a Marxist. He was a wonderful inspiring man. | ||
Leoqueen Member Username: Leoqueen Post Number: 1691 Registered: 07-2004 |
I was totally shocked when I opened the paper and saw his face on the obit page. Both he and Ken Cockrel passed way too young. I remember seeing a picture of Judge Ravitz in his robes, leaning back with his cowboy boots propped up on the railing..... | ||
Paulmcall Member Username: Paulmcall Post Number: 521 Registered: 05-2004 |
It's funny how outsiders are needed to change the system for the better. They were considered radical back in the day and now they don't seem so outrageous. Cockrel and Ravitz were revolutionists within the system. Pretty amazing what they accomplished. |
