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It's Friyay! But not quite before we push some legislation in @VaHouse Rules & Crim Subcommittees. For all you early birds, we've set you up with an ACTION THREAD that serves as your guide for today's #VAGeneralAssembly lineup. Then we're going to grab coffee & it's go time! 1/9
First up at 9AM in Rules, @delegateaird HB1990 proposes to allow for preparation of racial & ethnic impact statements for CJR legislation. Advancing #racialjustice through public policy support, SIXTEEN organizations have backed it, & so should you. 2/9 https://hodspeak.house.virginia.gov/submit_testimony?meeting_id=9063
11AM brings us @VaHouse Crim Sub—VA is in the literal grip of a mass incarceration crisis that’s damaged communities & unveiled racial disparities in the criminal justice system. We’ve got 5 bills today that begin to fix this, sign up/submit comment: https://virginiageneralassembly.gov/house/agendas/agendaItem.php?id=2788 3/9
HB1935, Chief Patron Del Vivian Watts seeks to end the 5 YEARS to LIFE punishment for robbery and creates DEGREES of robbery. The potential for unjust outcomes w/ the current one-size-fits-all approach cannot be overstated. 4/9 https://justiceforwardva.com/other-issues-links
Chief Patron @DonScott757 ‘s HB2038, seeks to end “mass supervision”—millions of Americans who, although not in jails/prisons, remain tethered to the system w/ community supervision such as probation or parole—set up to end up right back in prison. 5/9 https://justiceforwardva.com/blog/probation-reform
A VA rule prohibits introducing evidence of mental illness in crim cases UNLESS the accused pleads not guilty by reason of insanity. Chief Patron @JeffMBourne HB2047 proposes to allow evidence in non-insanity cases, as the Model Penal Code recommends. 6/9 https://justiceforwardva.com/blog/acknowledgement-of-mental-illness
Research shows, how quickly a person is released after arrest can have a profound impact on the outcome of their criminal case—their life & livelihood. HB2286, Chief Patron @AWGNorfolk , serves to ensure counsel at first appearance, as it should be. 7/9 https://justiceforwardva.com/blog/counsel-at-first-appearance
VA Code still permits ppl charged for a third time w/petit larceny (theft under $1000) to face up to 5 YEARS in prison—no matter if they steal something as insignificant as a bar of soap. Chief Patron @KenPlum1 HB2290 seeks to repeal the enhanced penalties. 8/9 #justiceforwardva
Do you want to contact your reps, but aren’t sure how? We’ve got you covered—and there’s even a handy phone script to call @VASenate Judiciary before Monday morning to tell them #endmandatoryminimums once you’re finished w/today’s @VaHouse committees. 9/9 https://justiceforwardva.com/take-action-1
