On February 9, 2021, Justice Forward Virginia, along with 24 other organizations, sent a letter to Governor of Virginia Ralph Northam and Virginia lawmakers, laying out five criteria for marijuana legalization that will center racial equity and the people and communities most impacted by decades of the War on Drugs.
Read MoreWe 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.
Read MoreStill 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!
Read MoreWhile many are calling for their increased use, the promise of body worn cameras is turning out to be overstated. Evidence shows that body worn cameras don’t significantly change police behavior or reduce use of force by police. Instead, the benefit of BWCs is that they provide documentation after the fact, rather than changing police behavior or reducing racial disparities in policing.
Read MoreA misdemeanor is a criminal offense punishable in Virginia by a fine up to $2500 or jail time up to 12 months. Despite being minor offenses, misdemeanors have impacts on the lives of the individuals charged far greater than the charge implies. From remaining in jail while awaiting trial if bail can’t be procured or accepting a plea just to get out of jail, just the accusation of a misdemeanor can turn a defendant’s life upside down. This is followed by a criminal record that lasts a lifetime (expungement is not allowed) and can prevent a person from getting jobs and housing as well as increase the likelihood of being arrested again.
Read More“I smell marijuana.”
Three magic words with the power to make constitutional rights disappear.
Merely uttering those three magic words gives any police officer in Virginia the power to search your house, your car, your briefcase, your pockets, or even your body, without a warrant or your consent.
Read MorePretextual policing is the practice of stopping someone for a minor traffic violation in order to conduct investigations unrelated to the reason for the stop. In Virginia, there is an extraordinarily low standard under the law, and it’s often abused.
Read MoreThankfully, Virginia lawmakers have a second chance in 2020 to make good on campaign promises to make meaningful changes to our criminal justice system. Leaders of both chambers of the General Assembly have confirmed that fundamental reforms simply cannot wait.
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