FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 8, 2021
Reforms advocated for by the group and passed by the General Assembly include abolition of the death penalty, expungement of criminal records, and an end to “three strikes” felony enhancement for larceny offenses.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA - Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice (VPPFJ) is a group of Commonwealth’s Attorneys 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 a letter to leaders in the General Assembly recognizing the accomplishments from the recently completed legislative session and urging future action on additional reforms.
Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Hingeley and Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania joined in signing the letter and commending General Assembly leaders for successfully enacting important and far reaching criminal justice reforms.
Hingeley and Platania advocated for these measures that include abolition of the death penalty, increased ability to expunge criminal records, and ending the three strikes felony enhancement for petit larceny offenses. Platania and Hingeley are founding members of Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice, an alliance of twelve reform-minded Commonwealth’s Attorneys who represent and are responsible for the safety of over 40 percent of Virginia’s population.
The letter recognized the following legislative accomplishments:
- Abolition of the death penalty;
- Expungement of criminal records for formerly system-involved community members; and
- An end to the “three strikes” felony enhancement for petty larceny offenses.
The letter urged future action on two additional legislative proposals:
- Ending cash bail; and
- Ending mandatory minimum sentences.
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
