Decriminalizing Poverty
The 60 Year Shadow of Court Fines & Fees
Originally published Jan 10, 2022; last updated Jan 13, 2026 Virginia’s criminal legal system should advance justice, treat people fairly,...
Using JLARC’s Racial & Ethnic Impact Statements Can Improve Fairness in Virginia’s Criminal Legal System
Virginia’s public policy should be grounded in evidence, transparency, and a commitment to advancing racial and economic justice. It’s critical...
Nearly 400 Years of Laws Targeting Black Virginians Set the Stage for Today’s Criminal Legal System
Since the colonial era, Virginia has used the law to restrict many aspects of Black people’s daily lives. As Black...
Honest History: How Fines and Fees Came to Harm Black Communities in Virginia
Virginia’s criminal legal system should advance justice, treat people fairly, and promote rehabilitation. However, an honest look at our history...
Unequal Funding, Unequal Justice: How Underfunding Virginia’s Public Defenders Harms our Communities
Virginia’s public defender system plays a crucial role in upholding a fundamental principle: everyone, regardless of their financial status, should...
Virginia’s Criminal Legal System: 10 Truths We Need to Talk About
en español Every person in Virginia deserves to live in a safe community with opportunities to thrive, and to...
El sistema jurídico penal de Virginia: 10 verdades de las que necesitamos hablar
en Inglés Cada persona en Virginia merece vivir en una comunidad segura con oportunidades para prosperar y ser tratade...
Doing Our Work in Virginia: How Virginia’s Legislature is Investing in Communities (2025 Session Recap)
When we think about the Virginia that we want to live in — where families have access to affordable health...
Session 2025: Key Budget Policy Choices
The Virginia state budget affects everything and everyone in our lives — from how well we fund our public schools,...