FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 4, 2021
Commonwealth's Attorneys support common sense criminal justice reforms to make their communities safer and the Commonwealth’s justice system more fair and equitable
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice (VPPFJ) is a group of Commonwealth’s Attorneys representing over 40 percent of Virginia’s population who support and advocate for common sense criminal justice reforms to make their communities safer and the Commonwealth’s justice system more fair and equitable. Today they issued the following letter to leaders in the General Assembly regarding reforms they plan to advocate for in the coming legislative session.
Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania and Albemarle Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley both signed the letter.
“Many of the statewide reforms we are advocating for are already standard practice in each of our offices and the local courts," said Platania and Hingeley. "We are proud to stand alongside other elected prosecutors from around Virginia and appreciate the General Assembly considering our input.”
The letter encourages the advancement of the following proposals:
- Automated, automatic, and free expungement of criminal records for formerly system-involved community members;
- End mandatory minimum sentences;
- End cash bail;
- Abolish the death penalty; and
- End the “three strikes” felony enhancement for petty larceny offenses.
A copy of the full letter is available via download below.
Media Contacts
Joseph Platania
Commonwealth’s Attorney
City of Charlottesville
434-970-3176
platania@charlottesville.gov
James Hingeley
Commonwealth’s Attorney
Albemarle County
434-972-4072
jhingeley@albemarle.org
