Tarra Simmons
Tarra Denelle Simmons[1] (born 1977)[2] is an American politician, lawyer, and civil rights activist for criminal justice reform.[3]
Tarra Simmons | |
---|---|
Member of the Washington House of Representatives from the 23rd district | |
Assumed office January 11, 2021 | |
Preceded by | Sherry Appleton |
Personal details | |
Born | Tarra Denelle Simmons 1977 (age 45–46) Olympia, Washington, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Children | 2 |
Residence(s) | Bremerton, Washington, U.S. |
Education | Olympic College (AA) Pacific Lutheran University (BS) Seattle University (JD) |
Known for | Being formerly incarcerated and winning Washington Supreme Court case to sit on the Washington State Bar Association exam |
In 2011 Simmons was sentenced to 30 months in prison for theft and drug crimes.[4] In 2017, she graduated from Seattle University School of Law with honors. After law school, she was not allowed to sit for the Washington State bar exam due to her status as a former convicted felon, thus she challenged the Washington State Bar Association rules in the Washington State Supreme Court and won; the court unanimously ruled in her favor. She was later sworn in as an attorney in the State of Washington on June 16, 2018.[5]
Simmons is the executive director for a nonprofit focused on assisting those that are formerly incarcerated, known as the Civil Survival Project. She has two children.[6]
In 2020, Simmons was elected to the Washington House of Representatives for District 23-Position 1.[7] Her victory is assumed to be the first legislative race to be won by a felon in the state of Washington.[6] Currently, Simmons serves on the committees for Appropriations, Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry, Health Care and Wellness, and Rules. She also serves as the Vice Chair for the Community Safety, Justice, & Reentry Committee.[8]
References
- "Supreme Court rules law student who turned life around can take bar exam". King5. 2017-11-17. Retrieved 2021-12-22.
- "Legislative Manual 2021-2022" (PDF). Washington State Legislature.
- "Tarra Simmons for State Representative". Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- Jenkins, Austin. "Vindicated By Supreme Court, Lawyer With Criminal Past Now Finds She's Campaign Fodder". www.nwnewsnetwork.org. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- "In Bar Application of Simmons (Majority)". Justia Law. Retrieved May 9, 2020.
- Free, Cathy. "She is a former addict and prisoner. She was just elected to the state house in Washington". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- "Tarra Simmons". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- "Representatives". leg.wa.gov. Retrieved 2023-07-30.