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.
Read MoreSign 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.
Read MoreJoin 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.
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 MoreFind 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
Read MoreOne 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
Read MoreFind 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
Read MoreFind 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
Read MoreGet the status of priority bills and find out what to expect in week 4 of the 2020 Special Session
Read MoreFind 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
Read MoreFind 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
Read MoreAre you a lawyer? We need your help!
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.
Read MoreFind 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
Read MoreVirginia 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.
Read MoreFind out about what’s making news in Virginia this week related to criminal justice reform. August 8-14, 2020
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 MoreFind out about what’s making news in Virginia this week related to criminal justice reform. August 1-7, 2020
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 MoreFind out about what’s making news in Virginia this week related to criminal justice reform. July 31, 2020
Read MoreOn August 5, join Vernida R. Chaney (President, NoVa Black Attorneys Assoc.), national justice reform expert Premal Dharia (Defender Impact Initiative) and Justice Forward's own Andy Elders for an expert panel on why mandatory minimums don't work, and why they ought to be repealed -- ALL of them, not just those applicable to nonviolent offenses.
Read More
