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oday is World Kindness Day, and thanks to Krispy Kreme, folks across New York and beyond are enjoying a sweet surprise—a free doughnut. Not that anyone needs an excuse to indulge, but there’s something special about free treats being handed out with no strings attached. As I, Jeffrey D. Cohen, a criminal defense attorney here in Queens County, New York, look out over the line of eager doughnut fans, it gets me thinking: kindness and the criminal justice system might be more connected than you’d expect.
Yes, I said kindness. You might wonder what on earth kindness has to do with criminal defense law. After all, it’s easy to think of my line of work as a place where life’s darker elements come to light, where I’m defending people accused of everything from petty theft to far more serious offenses. But, surprisingly, kindness—or the lack of it—crops up time and again in my work. I see it not only as a lawyer but as someone who cares about the community. In fact, I’ll go as far as to say that little acts of kindness could go a long way in reducing the situations that land people in court in the first place.
The Power of One Kind Act
Let’s start with Krispy Kreme’s free doughnut giveaway in support of World Kindness Day. To most people, it’s just a nice gesture, a feel-good way to celebrate the day. But what if we think of that doughnut as more than a treat? To some folks, especially those who might be struggling financially, that doughnut represents a reminder that someone out there is willing to give them something for nothing. That small taste of kindness can do a lot for someone’s sense of self-worth, even if they’d never admit it. Maybe it’s a college student who hasn’t had a hot meal all week. Or a young mom treating her kid to something sweet on a tight budget.
One doughnut might not change a life, but the message behind it—that kindness is out there—just might.
Kindness and the Law: A Criminal Defense Attorney’s Perspective
In Criminal Law, I’ve found that many cases begin with a lack of kindness or empathy. Small incidents can quickly escalate when someone feels ignored, belittled, or disrespected. It’s a sad reality, but many people who end up in trouble could have stayed out of it if only someone had shown them a little decency or taken a moment to listen.
Take, for instance, cases of petty theft. Sometimes, a person may shoplift because they feel they don’t have anyone who cares enough to help them. Instead of empathy, they’re met with suspicion or outright hostility. Or consider situations where an argument spirals into something much worse because no one was willing to step back and defuse the situation with a calm word.
As a criminal defense attorney, I’m often the one person standing between my clients and a system that’s all too eager to judge without understanding. In a way, I see my role as extending kindness where the system may fail to do so. I listen to my clients, not just as defendants, but as people with stories and challenges. I don’t excuse criminal behavior, but I try to find out why it happened and make sure the judge sees my client as more than a case number. It’s about showing that human side—one that often gets lost in the hustle of a courtroom.
The Queens Angle: When Kindness Becomes a Legal Matter
Here in Queens County, New York, we’ve got our own unique challenges. This borough is as diverse as they come, and sometimes, cultural misunderstandings or simple miscommunications lead to legal issues. For instance, imagine an immigrant who doesn’t fully understand U.S. laws on personal space or property. They could accidentally commit what we consider a crime simply because they’re unfamiliar with the “rules.”
A bit of kindness from law enforcement or a neighbor could often prevent these situations from escalating. I’ve seen cases where, if someone had just taken a moment to explain rather than calling the cops, an entirely different outcome might have been possible. It’s frustrating, but it’s reality. And in those moments, I step in to advocate for understanding and compassion over punishment.
The Kindness Test: A Day-to-Day Guide
So, what can we all learn from this? Well, maybe it’s this: kindness shouldn’t be reserved for one day a year or a free doughnut. Real kindness, the kind that has the power to prevent crime and build stronger communities, should be practiced every day. Here’s a challenge: the next time someone gets on your nerves—whether it’s a stranger in the street or a family member—pause and see if you can respond with a bit of empathy instead of irritation. Sometimes, all it takes to keep a minor dispute from escalating is a little understanding.
After all, no one really wants to be sitting in my office facing criminal charges. But when they do, my hope is that, through my defense, they get a second chance, a reminder that someone believes in their humanity even when things look bleak. Maybe if we all practiced a little more kindness, I’d have fewer clients—and that would be a good thing.
Conclusion: Taking Kindness Beyond the Free Doughnut
So, on this World Kindness Day, take your free doughnut with a side of reflection. Let it remind you that everyone you meet has their own struggles, and a small act of kindness can go a long way. And who knows? Maybe, just maybe, if we’re all a little kinder to each other, I’ll get a few more days off here from my day-to-day of being considered by many as one of the Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Queens.
- Photo Credit: Krispy Kreme
Show how you’re sharing kindness with Krispy Kreme on World Kindness Day, Nov. 13, by using #KrispyKreme and tagging @krispykreme on social media.
