CURRENT INITIATIVES
Though we are currently advocating to bridge the sizeable gap between legislators, legislative policy and those advocating for positive social change, inmate rights and progressive criminal justice reform in the State of Virginia; our current primary objective is a formal request to sponsor a Bill amending Code of Virginia § 18.2-58 to assign individual section codes to the newly defined Classes of felony robbery being 3, 5, and 6; those convictions not resulting in serious bodily injury or unlawful bodily injury. With the intent and purpose to be implemented retroactively, through petition to the court. If passed into law, men and women previously found guilty of robbery due to their reclassification under the new codes, would consequentially become eligible for earned sentence credits as their convicted offence, now with a new and unique code number, would no longer be included on the original list of exclusions. To reiterate this is not an amendment to the Goodtime Bill, and does not act contrary to the concerns and decisions of legislators who worked tirelessly together to bring that piece of legislation into effect, rather it only assigns unique section codes to the newly formed sections of robbery that were passed into law on January 21, 2021.
We are currently collaborating with notable Virginia Criminal Justice Reform Organizations for this amendment.
FORMAL REQUEST TO AMEND CODE OF VIRGINIA § 18.2-58
Advocating for those with Felony Robbery Convictions
Remove felony robbery convictions, not resulting in serious bodily injury or unlawful bodily injury, from the list of exemptions of the Good Time Bill through amendment of Code of Virginia § 18.2-58 by way of assigning individual section codes to the newly defined Classes of felony robbery being 3, 5, and 6.
You can help by Signing the Petition HERE
You can help by Sending in the Form Letter HERE
Can you spare 5-10 minutes to help advocate for Criminal Justice Reform in the State of Virginia? Help us by telephoning delegates, see our Blog Post HERE
Recent correspondence dated July 6, 2021. If listing past correspondence, you may need to refresh your browser.
UNFAIR AND EXORBITANT ADDITIONAL FEES INCURRED BY FAMILIES OF THOSE CURRENTLY INCARCERATED IN THEVIRGINIA CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM AT TIME OF DEPOSITING FUNDS.
Advocating for the families of those currently incarcerated
It is because of this, that we have been in receipt of communications from residents of the State ofVirginia, asking for us to assist in drawing attention to the unfair issue of exorbitant additional fees,which are incurred by the families of those currently incarcerated in the Virginia Correctional Systemeach time they deposit funds through the contracted vendor JPay and into their loved one’scommissary accounts.
COMMUNITY PETITIONS OF THE MONTH
A new initiative to feature petitions from the citizens of Virginia monthly. Email Advocate VA to have yours reviewed for publication.
Community Petitions of the Month are for William Arthur Brewer. From the Freedom4William website:
"Please help us petition the Governor of Virginia for a Conditional Pardon for William. Justice is supposed to be fare, firm and just; while still being reformative. William has now served over 15 years of a 25-year sentence, which far surpasses standard sentencing for the convicted offence. We appeal to you to sign this petition so that it can be forwarded to the Governor as a show of solidarity, compassion and support. By doing so you will not just be drawing the attention of legislators to his case, but the continued urgency to correct the errors of the current criminal justice system and to continue on a productive progression of criminal justice reform in the State of Virginia."
Visit their site HERE
AND
Joshua Blair
The following are excerpts from the Joshua Blair Petition Page: "On April 2011, there was a Home Burglary Robbery of three men... The victims identified 2 of the three people that they said robbed them. As for one of the people they had a mask on.
By the testimony of one of the identified robbers, Franklin O. Anderson, Josh was charged as the masked gunmen. He was charged with 16 Felonies from this one incident. He maintained his innocence, and at a preliminary hearing while being held without bail. In which this was Josh's first offense, no prior criminal history. At the hearing the Prosecution was forced to put off the case towards Josh for lack of evidence... With Detective's due diligence of there investigation to forensic evidence (which no phone records, no DNA, no gun found on Josh or mask, or even I.D by victims) and victims testimony, both contradicting the testimonies of Anderson and Donofrio. Josh was convicted of all 16 Felonies which were; Home Burglary, Conspiracy to Robbery, Conspiracy to Abduction for gain, 3× Robberies, 3× Abductions for gain, 6× Use of a firearm in commission of a felony, wearing a mask in public. All from one incident, on his first offense, with no one harmed, received 43 years. (Commonwealth of Virginia v. Joshua D. Blair Docket No. CR11003413)" Please Visit their website for full and in depth description of the case, events and highlighted issues pertaining to their request for pardon.
Visit their petition page HERE
*Please note that Advocate VA highlights community petitions based on submissions and do not offer any legal advice or legal opinions of said community based petitions, or request for awareness of such.