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The Enduring Bond of Oakland County Judge Fred Mester and Kenneth Briggs

November 11, 2025

Kenneth Briggs, now Chief of Pretrial and Justice Services for Oakland County, Michigan, reunited with retired Judge Fred Mester on Veterans Day to celebrate a mentorship spanning nearly four decades. Their relationship began in 1988 when 13-year-old homeless Briggs bravely testified in a sexual assault case overseen by Mester, despite threats and violence aimed at silencing him. Mester recognized the young witness's courage and became a lifelong mentor and father figure, helping guide Briggs through trauma and into a career serving justice.

Who is affected

  • Kenneth Briggs (now 52, Chief of Pretrial and Justice Services for Oakland County)
  • Hon. Fred Mester (now 88, retired Oakland County Circuit Judge and U.S. Army veteran)
  • The young teenage victim from the 1988 sexual assault case
  • Over 30 individuals Briggs has mentored to success
  • People sentenced by Mester decades ago who are now returning home after lengthy incarcerations
  • The African American community impacted by Mester's civic and charitable work

What action is being taken

  • Briggs is leading Oakland County's Pre-Trial and Justice Services, overseeing programs aimed at ensuring fairness and equity within the justice system
  • Briggs is actively mentoring individuals, providing daily encouragement and stepping into their lives
  • Mester continues to advocate for mentorship, fairness, and compassion within the justice system in retirement
  • Mester continues involvement in civic boards and charitable work

Why it matters

  • This story demonstrates that meaningful mentorship and moral courage can fundamentally alter life trajectories and strengthen communities. It shows that relationships built on forgiveness, compassion, and shared commitment to justice can transcend racial, political, and generational divides. The relationship has created a ripple effect, with Briggs now paying forward the mentorship he received by guiding over 30 individuals himself. Their story challenges the justice system to see beyond punishment and recognize the potential for redemption and second chances, particularly for those who made mistakes in their youth.

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle