Photo courtesy of Jazmine Goode
By Sheila Pursglove
Legal News
Growing up, Jazmine Goode enjoyed watching criminal justice-based TV shows, and went on to earn her undergrad degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections from Ferris State University, where she was named Homecoming Queen in 2014; was Chapter President of You Beautiful Black Woman; honored with the Ferris State Community Service Award; and won the Malcolm X Outstanding Leadership Award in 2016.
She completed a network session with the Detroit Police Department; and during an undergrad summer, externed with the Michigan Department of Corrections, an experience that opened her interest into the corrections field and job opportunities.
After graduation, Goode spent a year as an administrative assistant at the Third Circuit Court Friend of the Court.
“I enjoyed the connections I made daily with the amazing court staff,” she says. “I enjoyed helping with the public when my role called for it. And lastly, I enjoyed sitting in on court hearings and learning about Family Court.”
Goode then returned to the MDOC, spending 5-1/2 years as a parole agent in Wayne County, supervising returning citizens with their transition back into the community.
“It was a great experience,” she says. “I made sure they followed all parole conditions set by the parole board, worked with community-based services to help them find jobs, stable homes, and address any educational needs. I also partnered and collaborated with other law enforcement agencies in the area with home visits and criminal investigations.
“In every position I’ve held, the employees I worked with were always my favorite part of the job. MDOC truly has some hard-working employees and the office I worked became another extension of my family.”
Despite her love of MDOC work, Goode had always had an interest in becoming an attorney—and headed to Detroit Mercy Law last year.
“After completing five years with the Michigan Department of Corrections, I realized I wanted to do more for the community which I served and more for myself,” she says. “I finally decided it was my time to follow my dream by attending law school. I'm passionate about the law because there are so many different parts and there is a non-stop ability of learning new things as the law continues to change.”
Now a rising 2L, Goode is still exploring where her legal focus and interest will lie.
“But I'm excited about what the future holds and the connections I can make in the legal field to truly decide a legal focus,” she says. “I have faith over the next two years God will keep directing my path.”
In the meantime, Goode is enjoying her law school experience.
“I appreciate Detroit Mercy Law has a strong focus on the success of its law students and strongly encourages us to network and connect with the legal community surrounding us,” she says. “I appreciate the staff and our professors who take special attention to improving our legal and writing skills and making sure we do our best.
“And I love attending Detroit Mercy in the heart of Detroit surrounded by major sports events, different firms, and our judicial systems.”
This summer, Goode completed an internship with Judge Jonathan J.C. Grey of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“I was allowed to see civil and criminal cases on a federal level all while improving my legal writing and research skills with the amazing court staff assigned to Judge Grey,” she says. “I furthered my connections with other interns from various law schools here in Michigan and in the Midwest. The court did a great job allowing interns to explore different careers and departments connected to the courts on both a state and federal level. Best way to spend my 1L summer!”
A Detroit native, Goode has a lot of family members in the area.
“Family means everything to me—I say all the time that I have the best family in the world,” she says. “My family continues to support, love, and encourage me. My main goal is to make my family proud with every new journey I take. If given the choice, I’d pick them every single time. I’m truly blessed to have my family.”
Goode also is passionate about the Motor City and all it has to offer.
“I love everything about Detroit—from the people, the culture, how it continues to improve each day, the amazing restaurants and the social events and activities,” she says. “Detroit has a strong history, and most important it’s where my family lives. Detroit is truly like no other city and I’m always proud to say I’m from Detroit. Detroit is the best place to be, and I can't wait to join its legal community.”
Goode is a proud product of the Detroit PAL Youth League, where she now coaches cheerleading for girls ages 5 to 14, and enjoys connecting each summer with new and returning cheerleaders.
“Coaching the Detroit Seahawks is easy with the staff set in place,” she adds. “The Detroit Seahawks is an amazing program truly for the kids. I love helping build them in this sport and being a mentor to them. I try my best to improve their character, make sure they are respectful, have a safe summer, and explore any goals that they have set for themselves. And bringing home cheer titles is always a bonus.
“I love that the Detroit Seahawks are a family and committed to the development of our youth. Those I coach with or have been coached by, have an incredible impact on my life and have become a part of my support system.”
Goode was named Detroit Seahawks Coach of the Year in 2018.
“All the awards I've ever won have always come to a surprise to me,” she says. “I try my best to just work hard and give everything my all. A college mentor once told me your actions matter when no one is watching, but you never know when someone is.
“Winning Coach of the Year and the Malcolm X Leadership Award were both special moments but I'm grateful for those that paved the way before me and set an example of what a true leader entails. A true leader has integrity, self-awareness, respect, empathy, and gratitude.”
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