2024
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 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