Get Informed About Police Reform Part 2 -- July 15, 2020

 
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Pretextual Policing & Reforms that Don’t Work

Did you know....

  • That if you drive around with rosary beads or air freshener hanging from your rearview mirror..

  • If you have an aftermarket exhaust system on your car...

  • If a single miniature light bulb above your license plate is broken...

  • If you aren't within the painted lines of a crosswalk when you cross the street...

  • Or if a police officer claims to smell "the odor of marijuana," even though marijuana has been decriminalized...

... then Virginia police have *carte blanche* to stop you at any time? And that they use ridiculous excuses like these -- known as pretexts -- so they can waste your time "investigating" other crimes even though they have no reason to believe you've done anything wrong? Does it surprise you that pretextual policing is a major source of racial disparities in our justice system?

If you want to learn more, then join us on July 15 at 6:30 for Part II of our ongoing series, Get Informed About Police Reform! In Part II, 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 (e.g. implicit bias training) or don't work for the purpose of reducing racial disparities or excessive force (e.g. body cam).

The live feed will be available on Facebook Live, and will be recorded and posted to YouTube.

Why are we holding this series of events? You’ve probably seen announcements for dozens of criminal justice reform events recently. Unfortunately, too few of them help laypeople understand criminal justice reform the way advocates do. We want you to know the specific problems facing Virginia's justice system, which changes are most needed in Virginia and why, and how we can turn our ideas for reform into law. So, throughout July and August, in the lead-up to the special legislative session, we're having a sort of "boot camp" for prospective volunteer lobbyists. There is a movement happening, and we want YOU to be equipped and mobilized to advocate for real, meaningful reform.

  • Part I, July 7 at 6:30pm, with Sen. Scott Surovell and Del. Don Scott (https://www.facebook.com/events/3264585003588724/): an overview of specific reforms on the table for the special session of the General Assembly this summer and why they matter.

  • Part III, July 22 at 6:30pm, with Sean Perryman (Fairfax NAACP) and Sarah Burke (former member of Charlottesville Review Board): What are civilian review boards? Are they all the same? What does meaningful civilian oversight look like?

  • Part IV: TBD week of July 27, with Prof. Julie McConnell and juvenile defense expert Brad Lindsay: 1) Should police officers be in schools; 2) What is the assault on law enforcement statute and how is it abused in Virginia?


 
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