Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal

Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian ProposalReforming Criminal Justice: A Christian ProposalReforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal
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Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal

Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian ProposalReforming Criminal Justice: A Christian ProposalReforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal
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Welcome

Reforming Criminal Justice

Reforming Criminal JusticeReforming Criminal JusticeReforming Criminal Justice

Matthew T. Martens

Ask Me

Matthew T. Martens

Matt Martens is a trial lawyer, a former federal prosecutor, a seminary graduate, a legal ethics professor, and an award-winning author. Matt’s writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and other outlets, and he has spoken at numerous universities across the country.

BUY MY BOOK

Book Awards

ABOUT ME

I have been a lawyer for 29 years after graduating first in my class at the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1996. At the outset of my legal career, I spent two years in Washington, DC serving as a law clerk for a federal court of appeals judge and then to Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist at the US Supreme Court.


In the years that followed, I've worked both as a federal prosecutor (9 years) and as a criminal defense attorney (14 years). I've handled virtually every type of criminal case you can think of, including capital murder, securities fraud, drug trafficking, firearms violations, child pornography, mortgage fraud, voter fraud, and public corruption. Over the years, I have tried more than two dozen cases across the country both as a prosecutor and defense attorney. I am currently a partner in the Washington, DC office of one of the world's largest law firms. I have also taught Legal Ethics at Duke Law School.


During my years in private law practice, I have contributed a significant amount of my time to pro bono work, largely focused on religious liberty cases and criminal cases. I recently argued a criminal case in the Alabama Supreme Court. In 2020, I represented numerous churches around the country in litigation challenging COVID church closure orders.


Along the way, I attended seminary part-time at Dallas Theological Seminary, graduating first in my class with a master's degree in biblical studies in 2010.


I live in northern Virginia with my wife of 30 years and our youngest son. My two older children graduated from Furman University. We are members of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, DC. 

Videos

Book Trailer

Hear me talk about my book about Christian criminal justice

Criminal Justice Questions

I answer the internet’s most searched questions about criminal justice

Upcoming Speaking Events

March 28, 2025

Oklahoma Baptist University

4:00pm

-

5:30pm

Shawnee, OK

Event Details

March 28, 2025

Oklahoma Baptist University

Speech

4:00pm

-

5:30pm

Shawnee, OK

Previous Speaking Events

March 4, 2025

Ohio State University College of Law

Columbus, OH

Event Details

March 4, 2025

Ohio State University College of Law

Speech

Columbus, OH

February 23, 2025

Christ Church West Chester

West Chester, PA

Event Details

February 23, 2025

Christ Church West Chester

Sunday Night Theology - speech

West Chester, PA

February 13, 2025

Harvard Law School

Cambridge, MA

Event Details

February 13, 2025

Harvard Law School

Speech

Cambridge, MA

February 6, 2025

Fresno Pacifc University

Fresno, CA

Event Details

February 6, 2025

Fresno Pacifc University

Speech

Fresno, CA

February 3-4, 2025

Cedarville University

Cedarville, OH

Event Details

February 3-4, 2025

Cedarville University

Chapel speaker

Cedarville, OH

More Events

March 2-3, 2024

THINK Conference

Indianapolis, IN

Event Details

March 2-3, 2024

THINK Conference

Lectures

Indianapolis, IN

February 27, 2024

Furman University - Tocqueville Center

Greenville, SC

Event Details

February 27, 2024

Furman University - Tocqueville Center

Conservatism in America with Matthew Continetti (American Enterprise Institute), David Brooks (New York Times), and Helen Andrews (The Ameri...

Event Details

Greenville, SC

February 26, 2024

Furman University

Greenville, SC

Event Details

February 26, 2024

Furman University

Speech: “Does Christianity Care About Social Justice?”

Greenville, SC

February 12, 2024

University of Georgia School of Law

Athens, GA

Event Details

February 12, 2024

University of Georgia School of Law

Speech

Athens, GA

February 5, 2024

University of Michigan School of Law

Ann Arbor, MI

Event Details

February 5, 2024

University of Michigan School of Law

Speech

Ann Arbor, MI

More Events

Writings

The Problem of Voting for Candidates Who Promise to Do Evil

https://mereorthodoxy.com/2024-election-vote

A Christian Case for Limited Government

https://www.christianlegalsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/CLS_2024_June10th_small.pdf

Think We Can’t Legislate Morality? Think Again.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/reviews/crisis-civil-law/?amp=1

Of Two Evils, Choose Neither

https://erlc.com/resource/american-solidarity-party-prudence-and-principles-for-stewarding-our-vote/

Protecting a Free Church in a Free State

https://erlc.com/resource/protecting-a-free-church-in-a-free-state/

Don’t Ask Who Your Neighbor Is. Ask Who You Are.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/ask-neighbor-you-are/

God is Our Prosecution and Defense

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/god-prosecution-defense/

What Happens When the Governing Authorities Are the Wrongdoers

https://www.crossway.org/articles/what-happens-when-the-governing-authorities-are-the-wrongdoers/

10 Things You Should Know About American Criminal Justice

https://www.crossway.org/articles/10-things-you-should-know-about-american-criminal-justice/

3 Things That Must Change in the American Justice System

https://www.crossway.org/articles/3-things-that-must-change-in-the-american-justice-system/

Why I No Longer Support the Death Penalty

https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-i-no-longer-support-the-death-penalty/

Christian Criminal Justice

https://www.redletterchristians.org/christian-criminal-justice/

Why "Tough on Crime" is Neither Christian Nor Conservative

https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1012&context=ndjlepp_online

Government’s Two-Edged Sword

https://www.9marks.org/article/governments-two-edged-sword/

The (Past, Present, and Future) Law of Religious Liberty

https://www.thelondonlyceum.com/the-past-present-and-future-law-of-religious-liberty/

Government’s Two-Edged Sword

https://providencemag.com/2022/08/governments-two-edged-sword/

Prosecutorial immunity is un-American and immoral

https://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/commentary/2022/05/22/prosecutorial-immunity-is-un-american-and-immoral/?outputType=amp

Christian Hope in Life After Life After Death

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/hope-life-death/

I told fellow believers our liberties would be protected in the pandemic. The court proved me wrong.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/07/28/closing-churches-is-grievous-burden-courts-should-not-impose-it-lightly/

Two Kinds of Sermons That Seem Expositional But Really Aren't

https://www.9marks.org/article/two-kinds-of-sermons-that-seem-expositional-but-really-arent/

How to Rein in the SEC

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-to-rein-in-the-sec-1433285747

Easter Hope

https://www.hudnutink.com/post/everything-is-broken-but-it-won-t-be-that-way-forever

PODCAST APPEARANCES

The Table with Darrell Bock - December 17, 2024

https://hendrickscenter.dts.edu/podcast/law-justice/

The Bulletin (Christianity Today) with Mike Cosper - October 15, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-bulletin/id1653893811?i=1000673143003

Advisory Opinions with David French & Sarah Isgur - August 27, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/advisory-opinions/id1490993194?i=1000666753592

Paul Tripp Connecting - August 9, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-connecting-podcast-with-paul-tripp/id1588398155?i=1000664806006

Faithful Politics with Will Wright - July 13, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice-a-christian-perspective/id1507685680?i=1000662088619

Truth Over Tribe with Patrick Miller - June 26, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-should-christians-care-about-criminal-justice-with/id1580807177?i=1000660298935

OnScript with Matthew Lynch - June 10, 2024

https://onscript.study/podcast/matthew-martens-reforming-criminal-justice/

The Bulletin (Christianity Today) with Mike Cosper - May 31, 2024

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/bulletin/85-never-biden-alito-flag-summer-movies.html

The Bulletin (Christianity Today) with Mike Cosper - May 30, 2024

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8xFnlGh8fjg

Point of View with Steve Miller - May 16, 2024

https://podcast.christiantalk.media/?p=11490

The Virtuous Mind with David Alexander - May 6, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice-matthew-t-martens/id1652574569?i=1000654644852

Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin - April 9, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice-with-matthew-martens/id1637505896?i=1000651865855

Textual Community with Ched Spellman - March 30, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matthew-martens-on-criminal-justice-christian-theology/id1581018830?i=1000650869076

The Glenn Show with Glenn Loury - March 15, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-glenn-show/id505824976?i=1000649345882

Cross & Gavel with Anton Sorkin - March 13, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-cross-gavel-podcast/id1025073428?i=1000649054969

State of Independence with Joe Watkins - February 23, 2024

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=B5UDln_a6tE

Cedarville Stories with Mark Weinstein - February 21, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s10-e8-matt-martens/id1477496440?i=1000646203859

Culture Matters with Adam Hawkins, et al - February 6, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice-with-mathew-martens/id926935016?i=1000644332598

She Thinks with Beverly Hallberg - February 2, 2024

https://www.iwf.org/2024/02/02/matt-martens-criminal-justice-reform-through-the-lens-of-faith/

Digital Public Square with Jason Thacker - January 22, 2024

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-public-square/id1509808651?i=1000642479003

His People with Bill Feltner - December 14, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/matt-martens-practicing-attorney-and-author-with/id1436757299?i=1000638648610

The Substance with Philip Marinello - December 11, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/141-interview-justice-law-and-love-of-neighbor-feat/id1447929721?i=1000638145301

Defragmenting with Keith Plummer - December 1, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice-a-conversation-with-matthew/id1034870601?i=1000637179807

All Things with Jen Oshman - November 30, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-things/id1449943664?i=1000637033843

The City of Man with Coyle Neal - November 29, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-175-matthew-martens-on-reforming-criminal-justice/id1102245233?i=1000636951011

Mindset with Michael Schutt - November 28, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reforming-criminal-justice/id1668471058?i=1000636767494

Mere Fidelity with Matthew Lee Andersen, et al - November 27, 2024

https://m.soundcloud.com/mere-fidelity/reforming-criminal-justice-with-matthew-martens

The Common Good with Brian From & Aubrey Sampson - November 16, 2023

https://omny.fm/shows/thecommongood/reforming-criminal-justice-a-christian-proposal-wi

Christ & Culture with Ken Keathley - November 10, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christ-and-culture/id1524310319?i=1000634339269

The Washington Stand with Joseph Backholm - November 7, 2023

https://washingtonstand.com/podcast/ep-45-criminal-justice-system-reform-a-biblical-model

Graves to Gardens with Rashida Ricketts - November 6, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s4-ep-9-love-thy-neighbor-a-pre-release-book-talk/id1523123274?i=1000633945319

The Crossway Podcast with Matt Tully - November 6, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-crossway-podcast/id1457099163?i=1000633809812

Room for Nuance with Sean DeMars - November 1, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/room-for-nuance/id1694579242?i=1000633346050

United? We Pray with Austin Suter (part 3) - October 25, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/united-we-pray/id1289500755?i=1000632537592

United? We Pray with Austin Suter (part 2) - October 18, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/united-we-pray/id1289500755?i=1000631698441

United? We Pray with Austin Suter (part 1) - October 11, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/united-we-pray/id1289500755?i=1000630924797

Pistis With Us with Raleigh Clay - October 10, 2023

https://pistis-with-us.zencast.website/episodes/pistis-with-us-reforming-criminal-justice-a-christian-proposal-ii

The Bulletin (Christianity Today) with Mike Cosper & Russell Moore - October 6, 2023

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/bulletin/44-national-cathedral-trump-fraud-mccarthy-speaker-house.html

Think Biblically with Sean McDowell & Scott Rae - September 21, 2023

https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/can-the-criminal-justice-system-be-fixed

Pistis With Us with Raleigh Clay - August 2, 2023

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pistis-with-us/id1671903742?i=1000623232676

The Bulletin (Christianity Today) with Mike Cosper - June 16, 2023

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/bulletin/trump-indictment-sbc-saddleback-juneteenth-cormac.html

The Stoop Sessions with Joel Kurz - May 2, 2023

http://www.onehope.gives/thestoopsessions/2023/5/2/matt-martens-reforming-criminal-justice

Uncommontary with Marty Duren - April 12, 2022

https://uncommontarypodcast.com/2022/04/12/matthew-martens-systemic-injustice-the-bible-and-the-us-system-ep96/

All Things with Jen Oshman - January 21, 2022

https://www.jenoshman.com/all-things-podcast/2022/1/18/episode-76-a-christian-perspective-on-our-criminal-justice-system

Pastoring in a Pandemic - May 26, 2020

https://www.9marks.org/message/pastoring-in-a-pandemic-episode-17-what-legal-rights-and-responsibilities-do-churches-have-during-a-pandemic-with-matt-martens/

Drive-in Churches and the Constitution - May 8, 2020

https://fedsoc.org/events/drive-in-churches-and-the-constitution-balancing-the-religious-belief-in-corporate-worship-and-health-concerns-related-to-covid-19

Sermons & Speeches

Justice as Love - February 4, 2025

https://www.cedarville.edu/chapel/watch/justice-as-love_c2TLnf4gKUyjm0sv3gRNkg?y=4

The Gospel and Justice - February 3, 2025

https://www.cedarville.edu/chapel/watch/the-gospel-and-justice_QgpEtbFtmEaVSypNCPUVrg?y=4

God & Government - March 3, 2024

https://www.yourchurch.com/god-government/

Christian Criminal Justice - March 2, 2024

https://www.yourchurch.com/criminal-justice-breakout-how-should-the-church-apply-love-your-neighbor-and-other-biblical-values-to-the-american-criminal-justice-system/

Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal - Nov 8, 2023

https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/sermon/reforming-criminal-justice-a-christian-proposal/

The Gospel and Social Justice - Feb 26, 2023

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=qOK-dfYE1e0

The Rule of Law as Christian Doctrine - Feb 16, 2023

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DVtSrk7xBaM

A Christian Case for Limited Government - Sept 19, 2022

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMaZnyTQ03s&list=PL3d3eHC5GStTCpLeyMqXzuTqdfJhOjkR9&index=1

What Does It Mean to Be Human? - June 27, 2021

https://soundcloud.com/user-300848194/1-peter-11-2-2021-06-27-mathew-martens?utm_source=mobi&utm_campaign=social_sharing&utm_terms=block_background_listening_on_mobi.control

What Is The Meaning of Life? - Dec 2016

https://my.ekklesia360.com/Clients/player/videoplayer.php?sid=13123&url=http%3A%2F%2Fb1033ecbf0be9f1f78e0-9ff91644b80b1213b3e9d43ad0f0e963.r47.cf2.rackcdn.com%2Fuploaded%2F2%2F0e6810902_1512948907_2017-12-10pm.mp3&mediaBID=5346964&template=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.ekklesia360.com%2FClients%2Fplayer%2Fvideoplayer.php&module=sermon&content_id=1333243&type=sound&CMSCODE=EKK&skin=skin_plain.xml&CMS_LINK=https%3A%2F%2Fmy.ekklesia360.com&width=400&height=300&fullscreen&image&overrideImage=false&playlist=false&autostart=true&target=MediaPlayer&fbclid=IwAR1rG3LuQx25GhLuRPAj7K3zDqPDARpB8ahIAeUe3FCwmi2sq7vbYq34njs

Grace - March 16, 2016

https://www.cedarville.edu/chapel/watch/grace_TZiyAwNyN0W4ggMmyv4i0g

In The News

Ex-Wells Fargo Execs, OCC Face Off in Sales Practices Case

https://www.law360.com/articles/1421248/ex-wells-fargo-execs-occ-face-off-in-sales-practices-case

Federal Judge Skeptical of DC's Religious Restrictions for COVID

https://www.courthousenews.com/federal-judge-skeptical-of-dcs-religious-restrictions-for-covid/

WilmerHale’s Matthew Martens on Religious Liberty, More Hours and 'Drowning in Email' During COVID

https://www.law.com/nationallawjournal/2020/04/23/wilmerhales-matthew-martens-on-religious-liberty-more-hours-and-drowning-in-email-during-covid-19/?slreturn=20220215211756

Judge Grant's Injunction Against Louisville Mayor, Allowing Drive-in Church on Easter

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2020/04/14/judgjudge-weighs-drive-though-church-servicese-weighs-drive-though-church-services/2993470001/

Judge Dismisses SEC Case Against Ken Paxton

https://www.texastribune.org/2016/10/07/judge-dismisses-sec-case-against-paxton/

Paxton picks former SEC lawyer to defend him

https://www.expressnews.com/news/local/article/Paxton-picks-former-SEC-lawyer-to-defend-him-7974077.php

Martens, SEC's Top Litigator, Will Head to WilmerHale Law Firm

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304066404579125752915146332

"Fabulous Fab" Verdict is Vindication for SEC Lawyer

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-sec-goldman-tourre/fabulous-fab-verdict-is-vindication-for-sec-lawyer-idUSBRE96G19720130804

SEC to Jurors: Don't follow Tourre to "land of make believe"

https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-xpm-2013-07-30-sns-rt-us-sec-goldman-tourre-20130718-story.html

Trial of ex-Goldman trader about "Wall Street greed": SEC

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-goldmansachs-sec-tourre/trial-of-ex-goldman-trader-about-wall-street-greed-sec-idUSBRE96B00020130715

Arsenal of Legal Firepower Masses Around Tourre Trial

https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2013/07/15/arsenal-of-legal-firepower-masses-around-tourre-trial/

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