Assaults on Law Enforcement - How Mandatory Minimums and Felony Punishments Empower Police Abuse
Virginia’s Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer statute makes what is often a minor offense a felony and has a mandatory minimum sentence of 6 months in jail. This statute’s elevated punishment structure has other troubling effects on the criminal justice system: (1) It gives the police officer extraordinary power to punish those who insult or otherwise defy them, including people of color who are victims of excessive force, and (2) It intimidates the accused into taking plea offers in cases where the accused would prefer to take the case to trial.
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Get Informed About Police Reform Part 2 -- July 15, 2020
Join us on July 15 at 6:30 for Part II of our ongoing series when experienced Virginia criminal defense attorneys will drill down on pretextual policing, and will also discuss some of the popular police reforms that do NOT work.
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A Second Chance for Justice Reform in 2020: What to Expect & How to Get Involved
Thankfully, 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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Event: Get Informed About Police Reform! -- July 7, 2020
With police reform in the spotlight, there have been dozens of criminal justice reform events recently. Unfortunately, too few of them help laypeople understand the issues the way advocates do. We’re here to help! Join JFV, Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Don Scott on July 7.
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Justice Reform Content Creators: We Need Your Help!
Do you have expertise in Virginia criminal law, police reform, or criminal justice reform? Do you have graphic design skills to help attract attention to our important cause? We need your help!
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Demystifying Defunding: Criminal Justice Reform IS Police Reform
“Defunding the police” is much less controversial than the term would suggest. It simply means reducing the role police and prisons serve in society while expanding services that make communities healthier, safer and more equitable. It is a recognition that the traditional model of arrest, prosecution and incarceration simply isn’t working, and that comprehensive reforms to our justice system are imperative.
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How Jails Amplify a Pandemic (and Why Lawmakers Must Act Now)
Public health experts unanimously warn of the potential for jails and prisons to serve as COVID-19 amplifiers and incubators, and the immense risk that entails for correctional employees, detainees, and the general public. Unfortunately, Virginia isn’t doing nearly enough to mitigate these risks.
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NoVa Justice Reform Pep Rally: Dec. 11 in Falls Church
Join Justice Forward on Dec. 11, 2019 for our NoVa Criminal Justice Reform Pep Rally, at Clare and Don’s Beach Shack in Falls Church, VA.
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Criminal Justice Reform in Virginia: The Road Ahead
There’s no skipping steps when it comes to the legal system. Virginia must start by fixing some of its low-level problems — this is Criminal Justice Reform 101.
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The Alarming Campaign Rhetoric of Nicole Wittmann
More and more as election day approaches, Wittmann seems to be laying bare her true feelings about the people she prosecutes and those entrusted with the obligation to represent them, in a manner that calls into question her fitness for the office she seeks.
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Justice Forward's 2019 Commonwealth's Attorney Endorsements
Commonwealth’s Attorneys are the most powerful individuals in your local justice system. Learn who we support and why in the upcoming prosecutor elections in Arlington, Loudoun, Fairfax, Prince William, Albemarle and Chesterfield.
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Join us for our Summer Social: Aug. 21 in Leesburg, VA
Join Justice Forward Virginia on Aug. 21 for its 2019 Summer Social with Special Guests Buta Biberaj (candidate for Commonwealth’s Attorney), Board of Supervisors Chair Phyllis Randall, and Delegate Wendy Gooditis.
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Sec. Brian Moran: May is Second Chance Month
“In recognition of Second Chance Month, it is timely to reflect on our past work and commit to future criminal justice reform initiatives as we work toward a safer and more equitable Virginia.”
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Justice Forward Endorses Jess Foster for Virginia House of Delegates
We’re supporting Jess Foster for Delegate in Virginia’s 88th District because of her commitment to criminal justice reform and her first-hand experience fighting on the frontlines of juvenile and criminal defense.
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Recap: Richmond Justice Reform Kickoff Party (5/8/19)
Leaders in civil rights and criminal justice reform joined over 80 attendees, supporting JFV’s efforts to expand, unify and mobilize a community of advocates and inspire them to action.
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Justice Reform Kickoff Party: Richmond Edition (5/8/19)
On May 8, 2019, join Justice Forward, VACDL, Sen. Jennifer McClellan, Scott Miles and others for a Justice Reform Kickoff Party, kicking off criminal justice advocacy efforts in central Virginia in 2019-20.
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Ready for the 2019 elections? Prosecutors make a BIG difference
Elected chief prosecutors are the most powerful actors in the criminal justice system, at both a local and a legislative level. In Virginia we call them “Commonwealth’s Attorneys,” and many of them are up for reelection in 2019. Learn why your vote is important, and why the Commonwealth may need a change.
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Recap: Lobby Day and Defenders' Day of Action
On January 18, 2019, fifty volunteer lobbyists braved the cold, wintry weather and a very early start to push for justice reform in the offices of the Virginia General Assembly.
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