Criminal JusticeRichmond, Virginia— Advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating the successful passage of HB127, Counsel at First Appearance, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen, through the Virginia House of Delegates on a vote of 84-10. The legislation guarantees that people accused of a crime will have access to a lawyer the very first time they appear before a […]
Criminal Justice
Press Release
Two Bills Limiting Aggressive ICE Enforcement Tactics In Virginia Pass The House of Delegates
Delegate Charlie Schmidt’s bill HB1482 prevents law enforcement officers from wearing masks outside the context of a public health emergency, addressing and restricting a common tactic used by ICE and other federal immigration enforcement agencies. Delegate Alfonso Lopez’s bill HB1441 restricts anyone acting in a law enforcement role from cooperating with any federal immigration agency or facilitating immigration enforcement […]
Press Release
Virginia’s Largest Police Force Will Operate Without Body-Worn Cameras For Another Year
Richmond, VA-–An amendment that would have required officers of the Virginia State Police to wear body cameras was quietly stripped from this year’s state budget, which was finalized on Monday. The amendment, sponosred by Delegate Lashrecse Aird, would have purchased body cameras for all VSP officers and would have staffed a program to collect and review the […]