2024

July 7, 2024 WWAY Expungement Clinic - WWAYTV3

June 21, 2024 - Cardinal News Free Martinsville clinic will explain changes to Virginia expungement law; more

June 20, 2024 - Axios Assault charges on police in Virginia are often dropped

June 14, 2024 - Richmond Times Dispatch Often charged, rarely found guilty, assault on law enforcement felony raises questions

June 5, 2024 - RadioIQ WVTF Following Youngkin veto, Virginia legislators look to protect those in mental crisis

June 5, 2024 - WHRO Following Youngkin veto, Virginia legislators look to protect those in mental crisis

May 24, 2024 - Daily Press New brand of largely unregulated mass surveillance is expanding in Virginia - Daily Press

May 14, 2024 - Cardinal News Martinsville reports double-digit drop in crime rate

May 14, 2024 - Loudoun Now Area Groups Oppose Blue Ribbon Panel Recommendations, Call for New Panel

May 9, 2024 - Bolts “An Impossible Choice”: Virginians Asked to Waive Constitutional Rights to Get a Plea Deal

April 10, 2024 - Radio IQ WVTF Youngkin gets mixed reviews on final criminal justice reform actions of 2024 session

March 21, 2024 - Cardinal News Youngkin signs 36 more bills but vetoes 22 criminal justice measures

March 21, 2024 - Radio IQ WVTF Youngkin's latest vetoes limit police recruitment, strike at criminal justice reform

March 21, 2024 - WRIC ABC 8 News Youngkin vetoes ‘criminal justice bills’ saying they would ‘undermine public safety’

March 8, 2024 - ArlNow Arlington courts seek to reform alleged serial window smasher

February 22, 2024 - Public Defenseless Podcast The Copaganda Fueling the Retail Theft Crisis that Never Was

February 21, 2024 - C’ville Get out of jail, Community bail fund seeks to expand

January 26, 2024 - Big News Network Move to repeal new Virginia law on organized retail theft blocked

January 24, 2024 - ABC 13 News Now Move to repeal new Virginia law on organized retail theft blocked for this year

January 23, 2024 - CBS News Six Move to repeal new Virginia law on organized retail theft blocked for this year

January 20, 2024 - WVIR 29 News Filed bill would allow sentence reevaluation for long-term inmates

January 18, 2024 - ARL Now Arlington jail grapples with safety risks due to persistent staff shortages

January 18, 2024 - Falls Church News Press Richmond Report 2024

Jan 17, 2024 - Cardinal News House panel kills Griffin proposal to bring back the death penalty

January 16, 2024 - WTKR3 Virginia lawmakers take up public safety bills, including gun control proposals

January 9, 2024 - Public Defenseless Podcast Chipping Away at Virginia's Cruel Legal System, One Policy at a Time

2023

December 2, 2023 - Black Enterprise Don L. Scott and Reform Alliance aim for a more representative Virginia

December 1, 2023 - WTVR/Radio IQ Va. AG wants tougher fentanyl dealing penalties, more money for prisons as needed

October 16, 2023 - Virginia Mercury Current state law on traffic stops protects motorists and police officers, too

October 15, 2023 - ARL Now County legislative priorities include more speed cameras, more funding for prosecutions

October 11, 2023 - Radio IQ Community activists put Virginia's correctional system on trial

October 11, 2023 - Radio IQ A handful of Virginia cities want lawmakers to take another look at pretext law

October 5, 2023 - Richmond Free Press People’s Tribunal to address injustices experienced by the formerly incarcerated, family members of prisoners

October 5, 2023 - 13 News Now Advocacy groups push to protect Virginia's traffic and criminal justice protections

October 4, 2023 - NBC 12 Progressive groups blast Virginia Municipal League over traffic stop stance

October 3, 2023 - Virginia Mercury Progressive groups blast Virginia Municipal League over traffic stop stance

September 29, 2023 - Radio IQ Justice prolonged: two years after the expansion of the Court of Appeals of Virginia

September 28, 2023 - Richmond Free Press People’s tribunal on state prisons scheduled for Oct. 7

September 22, 2023 - Richmond Magazine Waiting to Vote

September 17, 2023 - The Virginian Pilot For many defendants in Hampton Roads, pretrial freedom is a pipe dream

September 5, 2023 - WSWS Homeless 73-year-old dies while being held in Arlington County jail in Northern Virginia

August 28, 2023 - The Daily Progress Rob Poggenklass at expungement clinic

August 28, 2023 - Washington Post Charged with trespassing at airport, she died in custody 2 weeks later.

August 10, 2023 - Richmond Free Press Library workshop details new laws about expungement reform

August 3, 2023 - VPM Black drivers in Virginia still more likely to be stopped as searches drop

July 26, 2023 - The Center Square - Court ruling reverses 'fleeing arrest' conviction

July 14, 2023 - 6 News Richmond Criminal record sealing workshop in RVA: 'It really penetrates every aspect of life'

July 13, 2023 - Richmond Free Press Free workshop for clearing records

July 7, 2023 - DC News - As Fairfax County sees decline in retail thefts, Virginia passes new law to address it

June 26, 2023 - WVTF After two years, supporters say probation reform is working

June 16, 2023 - 10 News Southwest Virginia residents discuss concerns over state’s criminal justice system

June 6, 2023 - ARL Now - A high-profile case sparked a debate over trying juveniles as adults, which has long been a rarity in Arlington

May 18, 2023- FCNP - Commonwealth’s Attorney Rivals Clash Over Staff Loyalty

May 18, 2023 - WAMU/NPR Virginia May Be Getting More Mental Health Crisis Centers

May 15, 2023 - Virginia Mercury Virginia crime board awards local law enforcement $1.6 million for new license plate readers

May 12, 2023 - The Virginian Pilot License plate reader funding draws ire from some Virginia lawmakers, who cite privacy concerns

April 28, 2023 - Daily Progress Expungement clinic gives arrestees pathway through paperwork

April 13, 2023 - Bold Dominion Podcast How can we fix Virginia's criminal justice system?

March 29, 2023 - Vera Low-Level Traffic Stops Are Ineffective—and Sometimes Deadly. Why Are They Still Happening?

March 27, 2023 - ARL Now Arlington ended 2022 with more assaults and thefts, according to new data

March 16, 2023 - Richmond Times Dispatch Virginia looks at new police training standards - Richmond Times-Dispatch

March 7, 2023 - Roanoke Times Schapiro: Little-noticed Big Brother bill is surprise casualty - Roanoke Times

February 28, 2023 - Tech Dirt Legislation Aiming To Give Law Enforcement Access To More ALPR Data Dies In Virginia

February 26, 2023 - The Epoch Times Organized Retail Theft to Become Class 3 Felony in Virginia Amid Surge in Shoplifting

February 24, 2023 - FOX 5 DC Virginia cracks down on organized retail theft

February 24, 2023 - NBC 12 License plate reader bills abruptly die in Virginia legislature

February 23, 2023 - AP News Virginia passes law to crack down on organized retail theft

February 16, 2023 - U.S. News & World Report Prospects Fade in Virginia for Prison Reform Legislation

February 16, 2023 - WTVR CBS 6 Prospects fade in Virginia for prison reform legislation

February 2, 2023 - Richmond Times Dispatch Bodycam footage, RPD's 'evidentiary issues' make commonwealth prosecutors uncomfortable

January 17, 2023 - Blue Virginia Virginia Grassroots Coalition Says It “Won’t Back Down” in Protecting Recent Policy Gains

January 13, 2023 - Cardinal News House panel backs Williams bill that would reinstate presumptions against bail

January 13, 2023 - Richmond Times Dispatch General Assembly battle lines drawn on criminal justice measures

2022

December 23, 2022 - WTOP News Arlington Co. Sheriff’s Office ends cooperation with ICE

December 23, 2022 - Connection Newspaper Fear-mongering Fail New poll shows Virginians feel safe after criminal justice reforms.

December 19, 2022 - Radio IQ/WVTF Poll: Virginians feel just as safe after criminal justice reforms

December 13, 2022 - Blue Virginia New Polling: Virginia Voters Reject “Tough-on-Crime” Policies, Show Widespread Support for Evidence-Informed Criminal Justice Reforms

December 12, 2022 - Data for Progress Virginia Voters Demand Forward Movement on Criminal Justice Reform

December 2, 2022 - The Washington Post Fairfax County has a police officer shortage. A youth program may help.

October 18, 2022 - CBS 6 Governor Youngkin shares his crime-fighting ideas. Not everyone is thrilled with his plan.

October 18, 2022 - ARL Now What Gov. Youngkin’s new crime safety program could mean for Arlington

October 16, 2022 - The Washington Post After Virginia legalized pot, majority of defendants are still Black

October 10, 2002 Richmond Times Dispatch Virginia traffic stops disproportionately involve Black and Hispanic drivers

October 5, 2022 Virginia Mercury Report: Cutting prison fees could save incarcerated Virginians and their families $28.3M ‘We can find solutions that are both fiscally responsible and humane’

October 5, 2022 - Faquier Times Report: Cutting prison fees could save incarcerated Virginians and their families $28.3M ‘We can find solutions that are both fiscally responsible and humane’

September 21, 2022 - ARL Now The county is moving its restorative justice programs to local nonprofits

August 2022 - Public Defenseless Podcast Turning Public Defender Priorities into Public Policy Victories

July 18, 2022 - ARL Now Arlington’s top prosecutor sticks to reforms despite crime concerns

July 18, 2022 - Radio IQ/WVTF Virginia's prison population declined, but trailed the national average

July 11, 2022 - Virginia Mercury 'A slap in the face': Prisoners, families have hopes dashed by governor's amendment

June 19, 2022 - ABC 13 News WSET General Assembly passes budget amendment that limits inmates' time off for good behavior

June 16, 2022 - Radio IQ/WVTF Prisoners may stay longer than expected if lawmakers approve proposed budget amendment

June 14, 2022 - Vera Institute In Virginia, Money—Not Justice—Drives Prosecution

June 10, 2022 - Inquest Busting the Myth—Many progressive prosecutors promised bold change. In Virginia and elsewhere they are realizing they are carceral actors all the same.

June 1, 2022 - VPM After ending marijuana prohibition, Virginia lawmakers create penalty for possession

June 1, 2022 - Augusta Free Press Virginia lawmakers create new drug possession crimes

May 31, 2022 - Radio IQ/WVTF AG Miyares sets up new work group to investigate organized retail crime

May 27, 2022 - NBC 10 News Clearing up the number of incarcerated individuals being released from prison this summer

May 23, 2022 - Radio IQ/WVTF GOP lawmakers consider controversial budget amendment

May 4, 2022 - C-Ville Weekly ‘No new crimes’ General Assembly kills Youngkin marijuana criminalization amendments

April 21, 2022 - Radio IQ AG Miyares uses new law to help an innocent Virginian

April 13, 2022 - The News Leader Governor asks for ban on Delta-8 THC products, more criminal penalties on pot possession

April 12, 2022 - ABC News 8 Youngkin only vetoes Democratic-led bills

March 12, 2022 - The Post Journal Clear Vision: Assembly Bill Would End Traffic Stop For Obstructed View

March 12, 2022 - Fairfax Times Last marijuana reform bill of the legislative session dies in committee

March 9, 2022 - Connection Newspaper Last Marijuana Reform Bill of Virginia’s Legislative Session Dies in Committee

March 3, 2022 - The Farmville Herald Proposed Constitutional amendment could restore former felons' voting rights

March 1, 2022 - Patch Gov. Youngkin Vetoes Arlington Police Oversight Bill

March 1, 2022 - Richmond Times Dispatch Chap Petersen column: It's time for 'second look' sentencing

February 28, 2022 - RVA Hub Virginia bill again seeks to limit solitary confinement

February 26, 2022 - The Virginian Pilot Police in Virginia were barred in 2020 from stopping cars for a range of violations. Now lawmakers look to undo those changes.

February 25, 2022 - ARLnow Arlington builds call system to divert people in mental health crises from jail

February 25, 2022 - Patch Fairness Of AG's Loudoun Sex Assault Investigation Questioned

February 23, 2022 - Royal Examiner Virginia bill again seeks to limit solitary confinement

February 22, 2022 - Independent Messanger Proposed constitutional amendment could restore former felons’ voting rights

February 21, 2022 - WTKR Virginia House bill would reverse law limiting minor traffic stops

February 21, 2022 - WTKR Data shows Black men receive harsher punishments than whites for same crimes

February 19, 2022 - ABC8 Proposed constitutional amendment could restore former felons’ voting rights

February 14, 2022 - ARLnow Latest county jail death prompts questions, pledge of oversight from County Board

Feburary 11, 2022 - Wavy10 Bills before the Virginia General Assembly aim to reverse mass incarceration

February 10, 2022 - Associated Press Virginia Democrats worry Republicans will roll back reforms

February 6, 2022 - Roanoke Times Editorial: Right justice reforms for Virginia, but wrong year?

February 5, 2022 - WTOP ‘The jail has become Arlington’s mental health hospital’: Latest inmate death sparks calls for change

February 1, 2022 - Richmond Times Dispatch We can't go back to 'broken taillight' policing

January 22, 2022 - WVTF Bill boosting pay for public defenders moves forward, but its future is unclear

January 19, 2022 - Inquest Moving Forward. Despite the election results in Virginia, the prospect of more progress, and justice, remains within reach for all of us.

2021

November 13, 2021- RADIO IQ Youngkin promised a new parole board. How quickly can he move on it?

November 4, 2021- NBC 4 Virginia's Next Attorney General Wants to Expand Office's Power

October 30, 2021- DCist Youngkin Attacks On Criminal Justice Reform Put McAuliffe On The Defensive

October 22, 2021- The Washington Post Opinion: Virginia’s criminal justice reform leads to campaign fictions

October 21, 2021- Inside NOVA Arlington NAACP announces annual Freedom Fund award recipients

October 21, 2021- Rappahannock News Local Circuit Court judge among those pushing back against probation reforms

October 21, 2021- Fauquier Now Probation reforms face pushback and confusion

October 21, 2021- RADIO IQ A Closer Look at the Narrative Surrounding Virginia's Crime Rate

October 21, 2021- Virginia Mercury Probation reforms face pushback, confusion in the court system

October 19, 2021- RADIO IQ State Psychiatric Hospitals Reopened During The Pandemic But Are Still Full

October 14, 2021 - VPM Advocates say cherry-picked crime data is meant to scare voters as they head to the polls

October 7, 2021- NBC News Police face a 'crisis of trust' with Black motorists. One state's surprising policy may help.

July, 13, 2021- The Washington Post A secret algorithm is transforming DNA evidence. This defendant could be the first to scrutinize it.

July 6, 2021- The Washington Post Criminal justice changes in Virginia prompt debate over how prosecutors are funded by the state

June 26, 2021 - Richmond Times Dispatch Marijuana legalization starts July 1. Addressing the impact of prohibition is unfinished work. A messy process to legalize the drug is ahead.

June 11, 2021 - Hip Hop Wired Meek Mill & REFORM Alliance Celebrate Criminal Justice Reform in Virginia

June 10, 2021 - StupidDOPE REFORM Alliance co-chairs Meek Mill and Michael Rubin Join Governor Ralph Northam in Virginia For HB 2038 Bill Signing

June 10, 2021 - WJHL11 Rapper Meek Mill joins Northam for probation reform bill signing

June 10, 2021 - The Appeal Norfolk elects prosecutor who says crime is a "Symptom of structural racism"

June 4, 2021 - FOX 5 Woman involved in controversial Fairfax County traffic stop calls for police accountability

June 3, 2021 - WUSA 9 Woman calls for accountability after controversial traffic stop by Virginia State Police in Fairfax

May 19, 2021 - The Crime Report Black Virginians More Likely to be Pulled Over Than Whites: Study

May 19, 2021 - ARL Now Advocates Say a Proposed Civilian Group Needs Power to Investigate Police Officers

May 11, 2021 - VPM Richmond to Pay Public Defenders Moving Forward

April 29, 2021 - Reston Now Marijuana may soon be legal in Virginia, but advocates say gaps remain in drug enforcement reform

April 23, 2021 - Virginia Public Radio Public Defenders Say Pay Parity Critical to Justice System Reforms

April 21, 2021 - The Roanoke Times Civil rights groups skip ceremonial signing of marijuana bill, as Black-led activist group left out

April 20, 2021 - Virginia Mercury Virginia public defenders face resistance in push for pay parity with prosecutors

April 20, 2021 - The Virginia Pilot Virginia’s main appeals court is mostly white men, many former prosecutors. But there’s a new push for more diversity

April 15, 2021 - WVEC 13 News Are there laws against hanging objects from car mirrors? In some states, yes

April 16, 2021 - NPR Cities Looking To Reform Police Traffic Stops To Combat 'Fishing Expeditions'

April 15, 2021 - The Appeal ‘It tears families apart’: Lawmakers nationwide are moving to end mandatory sentencing

April 8, 2021 - The Washington Post Legal marijuana in Virginia is just the first step

April 5, 2021 - VPM Confusion Remains About Virginia’s Open Container Law and Marijuana, Virginia Public Media

April 3, 2021- The Shaderoom Meek Mill, Michael Rubin & Other Organizations Help Change Probation Laws In Virginia

March 11, 2021 - Our Community Now New Bill in Effect Keeps Police From Making Some Traffic Stops

March 10, 2021 - Alexandria Gazette Starting from a Clean Slate, Compromise on expungement: automatic for some misdemeanors, petition for some felonies

March 3, 2021 - DCist Virginia Democrats Advance Sweeping Criminal Justice Reforms, But Fall Short On Some Measures

March 3, 2021 - ABC 8 Black Virginians four times as likely to be cited for marijuana possession

March 2, 2021 - The Washington Post Opinion: Virginia failed to repeal mandatory minimums, but there’s hope for next year

March 2, 2021 -The Dogwood Did Virginia Legalize Marijuana? What Does The Bill Actually Do?

March 1, 2021 - ABC 8 Virginia lawmakers agree to legalize marijuana possession but sales face uncertain future

March 1, 2021 - WSLS 10 New law bans police from pulling over Virginia drivers solely for certain car safety violations Officers can also not stop people if they smell marijuana

March 1, 2021 - CBS 19 Bill decriminalizing jaywalking takes effect

February 27, 2021 - WAVY Virginia NAACP, ACLU of Virginia among several groups refusing support for marijuana legalization bill

February 24, 2021 - The Appeal Virginia Bans Mental Health Evidence In Trials. Lawmakers Could Soon Change This

February 18, 2021 - VPM Racial Disparities Persist After Marijuana Decriminalization

February 9, 2021 - The Washington Times Virginia lawmakers mull competing mandatory minimum sentencing proposals

February 8, 2021 - Reston Now Plum Proposes Bill to Repeal Mandatory Jail Sentences For Petit Larceny

February 5, 2021 - DCist Legal Weed, No More Death Penalty: Here’s The Status Of Major Bills Moving Through Virginia’s Legislature

February 3, 2021 - Alexandria Gazette Sealing the Record House and Senate Democrats disagree on how old convictions should be expunged

January 25, 2021 - CBS 19 Bill to eliminate mandatory minimums wins committee approval

January 13, 2021 - Virginia Mercury Virginia Democrats continue push for criminal justice reform as General Assembly convenes

January 5, 2021 - Roanoke Times Virginia Crime Commission endorses getting rid of all mandatory minimum sentences

January 4, 2021 - The Appeal Newly Elected Michigan Prosecutor Will Stop Seeing Cash Bail

January 1, 2021 - The Central Virginian Bills with big impact keep state legislators busy

January 1, 2021 - The New York Times Virginia Judge Won’t Try Black Man in Courtroom Lined With White Portraits

2020

December 24, 2020 - CNN A judge rules that a Black defendant shouldn't have to stand trial in a courtroom decorated with portraits of mostly White judges

December 23, 2020 - Alexandria Gazette Appealing Bad Rulings Lawmakers to consider expanding appeals court, providing new oversight to judges

December 21, 2020 - WWBT NBC12 News Jaywalking decriminalization is coming, 100 years after the auto industry helped make it a crime

December 17, 2020 - NPR (WAMU) Transfer Of Sentencing Power To Judges Brings Virginia ‘Out Of The Ice Age,’ Proponents Say

December 17, 2020 - Ceremonial Bill Signing for Jury Sentencing Reform

December 10, 2020 - The Dogwood Does Virginia Need Mandatory Minimums? Residents, Lawmakers Say No

November 13, 2020 - The Washington Post Arlington’s top prosecutor, defender clash with judge

November 5, 2020 - Arlington Now Rejected Plea Deal Part of Tug-of-War Between Arlington Courts, Prosecutor

October 23,2020 - WFXR FOX Bill could ban traffic stops for various violations in Virginia

October 5, 2020 - The Daily Progress Virginia could make it harder for officers to pull you over. Police aren’t happy.

September 11, 2020 - The Washington Post Virginia should overhaul its arcane jury sentencing system

August 28, 2020 - Henrico Citizen Virginia Senate passes voter access and criminal justice reform bills

August 28, 2020 - Virginia Mercury Virginia lawmakers move to ban police searches based on the smell of marijuana

August 13, 2020 - The Connection Night Court Lawmakers to consider eliminating no-knock warrants, new hurdles for nighttime search warrants

August 7, 2020 - Augusta Free Press Virginia Redemption Project works toward early release of inmates with medical issues

July 19, 2020 - The Roanoke Times Facing backlash to proposed change to assault on police law, Sen. Surovell explains how it's been 'abused'

June 20, 2020 - DCist Virginia Democrats Hope To Drop Mandatory Minimum Sentencing

May 7, 2020 - Arlington Now Some Arlington Inmates Freed Amid Continued Coronavirus Concerns

May 4, 2020 - Bill to Increase Pay Parity Among VA Prosecutors and Public Defenders Dies, but Fight Continues

February 5, 2020 - The Washington Post Virginia can take a step toward racial justice with marijuana reform

January 2, 2020 - The Washington Post Prosecutors won’t pursue marijuana possession charges in 2 Northern Va. Counties