PHD STUDENT
UNIVERSITY OF CINCINNATI
Doctoral student in Criminal Justice and Dean's Fellow. Interests include reentry best practices, sentencing disparities, restorative justice, collateral consequences, and mental health co-responders.
About Me.
Justice Reformer. Nonprofit Leader. Operations Expert.
After serving as a Deputy Sheriff and then Detective, I found myself in handcuffs. As I fought my way through the courts and over four years of incarceration, my eyes were opened to the injustice and inequities of the broken system of which I had once been a part.
With this realization, as well as my experience on both sides of the law, I created Florida Justice Center to provide free and low-cost lawyers to help others succeed after prison. I'm proud to say that since I founded Florida Justice Center in 2019, my staff and I have helped over 10,000 people with more than 13,000 legal issues.
In May 2024 I left Florida Justice Center to pursue doctoral studies at the University of Cincinnati where I am a PhD student in Criminal Justice and a Dean's Fellow.
I have dedicated my life to helping those marginalized and disenfranchised by the system and to bringing access to justice to underserved communities.
Personal Information
- Name Jonathan Bleiweiss
- Employer University of Cincinnati
- Job Title PhD Student
- Education MBA, MSCJ
- Awards Dean's Fellow
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Hobbies Travel, Wine Tasting
- Contact Click Here
TESTIMONIALS
Jonathan is an excellent leader and boss. He is passionate for the causes he believes in. He is a flexible and understanding leader, guiding with a steady hand. Most impressively, is Jonathan's ability to analyze and revamp processes and systems for efficiency. Jonathan is the type of leader you want in every organization.
I have worked with Jonathan at the Florida Justice Center for several years. His dedication to social justice and criminal justice reform is an inspiration, but it is his day-to-day management that keeps this organization operating. There is no better person to lead a non-profit program.
Jonathan is an exceptional leader with a great ability to share his vision. He is the ultimate professional who is very process and goal oriented. I felt that he brought the best out of our teams. I would highly recommend Jonathan for his leadership, team building, project management, and innovative thinking skills.
My Resume.
EXPERIENCE
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PRESENT 2024
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2024 2019
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FLORIDA JUSTICE CENTER
Founder of the first legal aid organization in Florida to focus on assisting justice-impacted people. Oversee nonprofit entity that provides probation, voting rights restoration, and criminal record expungement services.Â
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2019 2012
OPERATIONS & EDUCATION
VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS
Operations:
Served as chief operating officer of start-up manufacturing and services company from inception to profitability.
Teaching:
Taught English and math classes and tutored individuals in Florida State Prisons to prepare them for GED exam.
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2011 2002
DEPUTY SHERIFF & DETECTIVE
BROWARD SHERIFF'S OFFICE
Highly decorated former law enforcement officer and detective. Created Homeless Outreach Unit; Served as liaison to the LGBTQIA+ community; Performed nationwide armed fugitive extraditions; and served on Field Force riot and disaster response team.
EDUCATION
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EXPECTED 2028 2023
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2023
MASTER OF SCIENCE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE
LAMAR UNIVERSITY
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2011
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX
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2002
BACHELOR OF ARTS, HISTORY
ECKERD COLLEGE
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2000
CERTFICATE, LAW ENFORCEMENT
ST. PETERSBURG COLLEGE
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
COMMUNICATING VISION
FUNDRAISING
GRANT WRITING
INSPIRING OTHERS
STRATEGIC PLANNING
OPERATIONS SKILLS
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY
PREPARING BUDGETS
STREAMLINING PROCESSES
Memberships
Criminology, Criminal Justice, & Sociology
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
Member
2023-Present
Member, Restorative & Community Justice Section
2023-Present
Member, Teaching, Learning, & Scholarship Section
2023 - Present
American Society of Criminology
Member
2023 - Present
Member, Convict Criminology Section
2023 - Present
Member, Critical Criminology & Social Justice Section
2023 - Present
Member, People of Color & Crime Section
2023 - Present
Member, Policing Section
2023 - Present
Member, Public Opinion & Policy Section
2023 - Present
Member, Queer Criminology Section
2023 - Present
American Sociological Association
Member
2023 - Present
Member, Crime, Law, & Deviance Section
2023 - Present
Member, Race, Class, & Gender Section
2023 - Present
Member, Teaching and Learning in Sociology Section
2023 - Present
Higher Education Committees & Memberships
Justice Reform Committees & Memberships
Legal Committees & Memberships
American Bar Association
Member
2023 - Present
Member, Center for Professional Responsibility Division
2023 - Present
Member, Civil Rights & Social Justice Division
2023 - Present
Member, Criminal Justice Division
2023 - Present
Member, Law Practice Division
2023 - Present
Member, Legal Education & Admission to the Bar Division
2023 - Present
Member, Solo, Small Firm, & General Practice Division
2023 - Present
Reentry Committees & Memberships
Palm Beach Reentry Coalition
Member
2022 - Present
Member, Conference Planning Committee
2024 - Present
2022 - Present
Member, Conference Planning Committee
2024 - Present
Umbrella of Hope Miami Reentry Coalition
Founding Member
2022-2023
Founding Chairperson, Access to Technology Subcommittee
2023
Founding Chairperson, Legal Subcommittee
2023
Founding Member, Continuum-of-Care Subcommittee
2023
Voting Rights Committees & Memberships
Florida Election Protection Task Force
Member
2022 - 2024
State Voices Florida
Member
2022 - 2024
Member, Criminal Justice Workgroup
2022 - 2024
Member, Voting Rights Workgroup
2022 - 2024
2022 - 2024
Member, Criminal Justice Workgroup
2022 - 2024
Member, Voting Rights Workgroup
2022 - 2024
Other Community Involvement
Awards
Education Awards
Reentry Awards
Law Enforcement Awards
Employee of the Month
November 2008
February 2006
October 2004
Broward County Sheriff's Office
February 2006
October 2004
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Distinguished Community Service Award
2008
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Public Safety Special Operations Award
2006
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Lifesaving Award
2005
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Broward County Sheriff's Office
Speaking Engagements
Education
Education Unchained: Second Chances and Recovery at FAU
Panelist
Florida Atlantic University
October 2022
Ban the Box at FAU? A Conversation on Unlocking Higher Education Access
Panelist
Florida Atlantic University
April 2022
Legal Topics
Allyship in Law: Lived Experience Informing Legal Aid Services
Presenter
Rise Up Conference
September 2024
CLE: Sealing and Expungement for Attorneys
Rights Restoration Training for Attorneys
Facilitator
Gwen S. Cherry Black Women Lawyer's Association
June 2023
Rights Restoration Training for Law Students
Lecturer
Nova Southeastern University Shepherd Broad College of Law
October 2022
One Less Barrier: Removing Legal Obstacles for Returning Citizens
Panelist
Palm Beach County Reentry Summit
October 2022
Reentry Topics
Struggles & Triumphs: An Honest Dialogue with Formerly Incarcerated People
Panelist
Florida Atlantic University
April 2024
Policing
The Talk: What Black Mothers Should Tell Their Kids About the Police
Organizer & Moderator
Florida Justice Center
May 2021
Voting Rights
Advocates Rally Saturday as Early Voting Nears End in Duval County
Interviewee
News4Jax WJXT-4
April 2022
Other Topics
Navigating Careers in the Nonprofit Sector with Lived Experience
Roundtable Speaker
American Society of Criminology Annual Conference
November 2024