Research tells us that how quickly a person is released after arrest can have a profound impact on the outcome of their criminal case. Unfortunately, in Virginia, our pretrial system leads to people, especially poor people, being held unnecessarily for days before they can be released simply because they are not appointed a lawyer in a timely manner. By allowing and ensuring that individuals have an attorney when they first appear in front of a judge, bail can be considered immediately. And if a person is eligible for bail, they can return home, often within a day of their arrest, while the charges are pursued. Not having access to an attorney who can request bail, either because a public defender or court appointed counsel hasn’t been assigned or because of the jurisdiction’s policy, leads to additional and unnecessary time that a person - who has not been convicted - is being held in jail.
In Virginia there is a rule that prohibits introducing evidence of mental illness in criminal cases unless the Accused pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (“NGRI”). As a result, the jury is not made aware of mitigating evidence that would allow for a fair trial and appropriate resolution. Currently an important bill is being considered that will change this rule and make the criminal legal system more fair for individuals who suffer from mental illness.
Virginia law currently allows a defendant to request a modification of their sentence at any time, as long as they are being held within a local detention facility. The very moment an individual is transported from a local jail to a state prison, however, they are completely stripped of their right to request a reconsideration. As a result, an individual’s life can be forever altered, simply due to an arbitrary rule within Virginia’s code.
Lobby Day for General Session looks a little different in 2021. Join criminal justice reform advocates across the Commonwealth, virtually, to meet with legislators on several select dates. Read more and sign up for virtual lobbying January 8th, 11th, and 12th! Meet with legislators ahead of the GA’s General Session kickoff to discuss the importance of our urgent criminal justice reform legislative priorities.
Join Justice Forward Virginia January 7th in preparation for the 2021 Legislative Session at our Justice Reform “Prep” Rally—you’ll hear from legislators and policy makers leading the criminal justice reform charge. During our hour long Facebook Live, the experts will roll out priority legislation being heard in the General Assembly and how advocates can support it most effectively.
Sign the Petition! Virginia has over 200 mandatory minimum sentences that require judges to impose prison terms without considering the circumstances of each case or the needs or role of each person. This one-size-fits-all sentencing scheme is unjust and does not increase public safety. Virginia needs to get rid of its mandatory sentences.
Join FAMM, Americans for Prosperity VA, Ladies of Hope Ministries, and Justice Forward Virginia, December 8th 6:30-8pm, for a virtual town hall discussion on the need to repeal Virginia’s mandatory minimum sentences. Learn and effectively take action ahead of the 2021 legislative session. Hear from state policymakers, impacted families, and advocates working to advance reform.
We made it through the 2020 Special Session and have lots to celebrate. Find out what happened with Justice Forward’s priority legislation: Jury Sentencing, Pretextual Policing, Earned Sentence Credits, Expungement Reform, and Assault on Law Enforcement Officers.
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia and around America related to criminal justice reform. September 20-26, 2020
One of Justice Forward Virginia’s top priorities this session has been SB 5007 - jury sentencing. It has the potential to be one of the most significant criminal justice reforms ever in Virginia. It was almost to the finish line when an amendment from an opponent has put it at risk of being implemented. Find out what happened and what YOU can to to SAVE SB 5007
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia and around America related to criminal justice reform.September 13-19, 2020
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia and around America related to criminal justice reform.September 6-12, 2020
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia and around America related to criminal justice reform. August 29-September 6, 2020
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia related to criminal justice reform. August 22-28, 2020
The primary purpose of The Virginia Redemption Project is to match currently incarcerated individuals with pro bono lawyers to assist them in completing their clemency petitions. Having counsel through the clemency process greatly increases the chances of success, and the joint effort hopes to ensure that those who are most at risk of illness from COVID-19 and who cannot afford a lawyer have access to meaningful review.
Find out about the progress made last week in the Special Session and about what’s making news in Virginia related to criminal justice reform. August 15-21, 2020
Virginia law currently ensures that no one convicted of a crime can ever have that offense removed from their record. The law also does not allow for the expungement of some kinds of offenses from your record, even if you were not convicted of that offense. The permanence of criminal records in Virginia are a racial justice issue that needs to be addressed in the upcoming special session.
Still have questions about police reform as we approach the special legislative session? Tune in on August 12 from 6:30-8:00pm when we're bringing back some of the most popular guests from our "Get Informed About Police Reform" explainer series!
