In this episode of The Ricochet Effect, Project Ricochet sits down with the Honorable Judge Denotra Spruill Gunther, Fayette District Court Judge for Division 1, whose legal journey and community impact have shaped a powerful legacy of justice, advocacy, and reform. From her early days as a juvenile prosecutor and co-creator of the Truancy Intervention Program to her leadership in launching the Eviction Diversion and Assisted Outpatient Treatment Courts, Judge Gunther brings a holistic and human-centered approach to justice.
A seasoned legal trailblazer, Judge Gunther shares insights from her decades-long journey. As well as being a champion for youth and families, Judge Gunther shares her lived experience and legal insights on reducing youth incarceration rates, an issue central to Project Ricochet’s Justice Served initiative. This episode explores how restorative practices, community engagement, and policy innovation intersect in the courtroom and beyond, highlighting Judge Gunther’s deep-rooted belief in second chances, equity, and structural accountability.
This conversation unfolds at the intersection of Judge Gunther’s judicial philosophy and Project Ricochet’s Justice Served initiative, in partnership with the KY SIX and the Foundation For a Healthy Kentucky. Together, represents a shared commitment to reducing youth incarceration through trauma-informed, culturally grounded programming. Judge Gunther speaks candidly about the importance of prevention, diversion, and community-led solutions, while amplifying the voices of young people impacted by systemic harm.
Through stories of resilience and reform, we explore how her courtroom experience complements Project Ricochet’s Healing Circles as safe, non-clinical spaces where youth and families unpack trauma through art, movement, and storytelling. This episode illuminates the powerful Ricochet Effect that emerges when justice is reimagined not as punishment, but as restoration.
Tune in as we discuss her role in shaping diversion programs, her advocacy for underserved populations, and how the ethos of concepts like Justice Served are transforming lives by keeping young people out of the criminal legal system and on pathways to hope.
"Justice is not just about punishment...it’s about potential," This is an episode that honors that philosophy and inspires action.
Learn more at www.projectricochet.org.
