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Justice Forward VA
@justicefwdva.bsky.social
990 followers 200 following 160 posts
Founded by public defenders. Promoting criminal justice reform in Virginia by drafting & lobbying for humane, evidence-informed legislation, and educating & mobilizing advocates for action.
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SUFFOLK: For the first time in VA’s history people will be able to seal their criminal convictions. Join Justice Forward Virginia Foundation, Nolef Turns Inc., and Virginia Organizing at Morgan Memorial Library—Nov. 24th at 6PM—for a criminal records expungement & sealing info session.
Criminal Records Expungement & Sealing informational workshop Free and open to all. November 24, 2025 from 6PM to 7:30PM Morgan Memorial Library 443 West Washington Street Suffolk, VA. Service providers and those working with impacted communities are encouraged to attend. Refreshments provided. Learn about recent updates to the law and updates for 2026. Find out information on who qualifies for expungement now and who will benefit from new changes in the law. Experts will cover the necessary steps for expungement and connect patrons to resources to help maneuver the court process. No registration necessary.
November 20, 2025 at 12:25 AM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
Got lunch plans Friday? Join the Power Lunch Podcast to chat with our ED @rpogge.bsky.social, Michael Soyfer of IJ, & special guest @equalityalec.bsky.social! Friday’s episode focuses on the rise of mass surveillance and its growing threat to justice—12PM. Register: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Image: Friday Power Lunch logo and pictures of the three special guests. Text: Friday Power Lunch From Kings to Authoritarianism "What Would a King Do with Mass Surveillance?" Register: FridayPowerLunch.com November 14, 2025 at 12pm Michael Soyfer, Attorney Institute for Justice. Alec Karakatsanis, Author Founder & Director of Civil Rights Corps. Rob Poggenklass, Attorney & Advocate Executive Director Justice Forward Virginia.
November 13, 2025 at 6:03 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
The people were fired up for criminal legal reforms at Justice Reform Happy Hour! Many thanks to @parisaforjustice.bsky.social @hopeforvirginia.bsky.social @salimvasenate.bsky.social for joining us! And to advocates and indigent defenders committed to restoring justice to our communities and courts!
November 9, 2025 at 1:18 AM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
We’re rallying support for criminal justice reform. Join us for a FREE TACO BAR & MARGARITAS Wednesday, November 5th from 6-8PM in Falls Church, VA. We’re honored to have special guests @parisaforjustice.bsky.social and Del. @HopeforVirginia.bsky.social!
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/10... #valeg
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo and Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers logo. A drawing of a margarita and a taco. Text: Justice Forward Virginia & Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presents Justice Reform Happy Hour Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 6pm to 8pm. Free Taco Bar & Margaritas at Clare and Don's Beach Shack. 130 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia. Parking is also free. This is a fundraiser for criminal justice reform with special guests: Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti & Delegate Patrick Hope and more.
November 5, 2025 at 3:27 AM
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In 2017, public defenders banded together with first-hand stories of arcane criminal laws & procedures that harm the people they represent and Justice Forward Virginia was founded. We’ve made progress but there’s still work to do! Defense lawyers join us: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo. Text: legalized marijuana possession, abolished the death penalty, repealed mandatory jury sentencing; the “habitual drunkard” law; and petit larceny third, created “degrees” of robbery that reflect the seriousness of the crime, made it so that indigent defendants could obtain expert assistance without disclosing trial strategy to their adversary, created a record-sealing process for convictions up to Class 5 felonies, ended presumptions against bail, reformed probation laws by placing limits on how long a person can be incarcerated for so-called technical violations of probation, ended racist pretext stops—the first state in the entire country, barred police searches based solely on the odor of marijuana, increased compensation for court appointed counsel,banned youth shackling, reformed PB-15s, opposed harmful legislation, protected our progress, and more.
November 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
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VIRGINIA DEFENSE BAR: Want to tell us about the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join our Indigent Defender Statewide Call on Tuesday, Nov. 4th at 11:00AM to workshop criminal legal reforms together. Register here: us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo. Picture of Justice Forward Virginia’s leadership team. Text: Indigebt Defender Statewide Call November 4, 2025 at 11:00 am. A virtual convening for public defenders and other indigent defenders to workshop needed criminal legal reforms.
November 2, 2025 at 5:34 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
Next Wednesday—Nov. 5 from 6PM-8PM—you should attend Justice Reform Happy Hour in Falls Church! Enjoy a free taco bar & margaritas, a preview of our 2026 CJR priorities, Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and special guests! See you there! justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/10...
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo and Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers logo. A drawing of a margarita and a taco. Text: Justice Forward Virginia & Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presents Justice Reform Happy Hour Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 6pm to 8pm. Free Taco Bar & Margaritas at Clare and Don's Beach Shack. 130 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia. Parking is also free. This is a fundraiser for criminal justice reform with special guests: Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti & Delegate Patrick Hope and more.
October 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
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DEFENDERS: Want to reform the unjust criminal laws and procedures that harm the people you represent? Join the VA Defender Statewide Call Tuesday, Nov. 4 at 11AM to workshop criminal legal reforms. Public defenders & other indigent defenders register here: bit.ly/VaDefenderCall
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo. Picture of Justice Forward Virginia’s leadership team. Text: Indigebt Defender Statewide Call November 4, 2025 at 11:00 am. A virtual convening for public defenders and other indigent defenders to workshop needed criminal legal reforms. Register here: https://bit.ly/VaDefenderCall
October 28, 2025 at 1:10 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
In two weeks—at about this time—we’ll be deep into a free taco bar, toasting margaritas (hopefully with you) discussing our 2026 CJR priorities! Join us along with Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers for Justice Reform Happy Hour—Wednesday, November 5th at 6PM. See you there!
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo and Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers logo. A drawing of a margarita and a taco. Text: Justice Forward Virginia & Virginia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers presents Justice Reform Happy Hour Wednesday, November 5, 2025 from 6pm to 8pm. Free Taco Bar & Margaritas at Clare and Don's Beach Shack. 130 N. Washington Street, Falls Church, Virginia. Parking is also free. This is a fundraiser for criminal justice reform with special guests: Commonwealth's Attorney Parisa Dehghani-Tafti & Delegate Patrick Hope and more.
October 22, 2025 at 11:42 PM
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This morning, Cornell College held a convocation to recognize our Executive Director—Rob Poggenklass—with the Alumni Association’s Leadership and Service Award! Thank you @rpogge.bsky.social for your lifelong commitment to civil rights and reducing harm caused by the criminal justice system!
Image: picture of Rob Poggenklass. Text: Cornell College Alumni Association Awards LEADERSHIP & SERVICE Rob Poggenklass '03
October 11, 2025 at 3:27 PM
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Join the Virginia State Bar—Tuesday—for a free virtual conference to learn about the support & systems designed to unlock the power of volunteer attorneys, including a CLE on VA’s new record sealing laws featuring Justice Forward Virginia’s @rpogge.bsky.social

Register: vsb.org/Site/Event_D...
Text: Virginia State Bar An agency of the Supreme Court of Virginia VSB Pro Bono Conference Find Your Fit: Increase Your Impact Tuesday, October 7, 2025 1:15-2:45 pm Session 4: An Introduction to Virginia's Clean Slate Law: Eligibility, Process, and Opportunities for Service • Speakers • Colin L. Drabert, Deputy Director, Virginia State Crime Commission • Rob Poggenklass, Executive Director, Justice Forward • Cris Gantz, Virginia State Bar
October 5, 2025 at 4:12 PM
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What’s for lunch? Join the @urichmond Carrico Center for Pro Bono & Public Service for its virtual Law Over Lunch series today from 12-1:30PM. Today’s speakers: @rpogge and Julie McConnell. The program is free, but advance registration is required. calendar.richmond.edu/page.html?ev...
Image: overhead view of the University of Richmond campus. Text: Law Over Lunch - Criminal Charges Without Conviction: Expungement, Sealing, and What the New Laws Mean Speakers: Rob Poggenklass, Esq., Justice Forward Virginia; Prof. Julie McConnell, Esq., University of Richmond School of Law September, 29, 2025
September 29, 2025 at 2:34 PM
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Our brief argues that proper advice on the disparity between jury and judge sentences would’ve been relevant to a decision to plead guilty or go to trial and that the court decision should be reversed. Dillon’s counsel has since been disbarred. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled soon. 4/4
Image: Front page of amicus brief, Justice Firward Virginia logo. Faint, blurred image of a page from the amicus brief in the background. Text: In the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit SHEBRI DILLON, Petitioner-Appellant, V. CHADWICK DOTSON, Respondent-Appellee. On Appeal from the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, Hon. James P. Jones W.D. Va. Case No. 7:22-cv-215 BRIEF FOR JUSTICE FORWARD VIRGINIA AMICUS CURIAE IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANT
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Justice Forward Virginia advocated for SB 5007 that ended mandatory jury sentencing in Virginia on July 1, 2021. Current Virginia law now provides that the accused be given the option of whether to be sentenced by the judge or the jury in cases in which the jury decides guilt. 3/4
List of lawmakers who voted to end mandatory jury sentencing: The VA House of Delegates (A-K) GOVERNOR RALPH NORTHAM CHIEF PATRON SEN JOSEPH MORRISSEY MADAM SPEAKER EILEEN FILLER-CORN MAJORITY LEADER CHARNIELE HERRING THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SB5007; JURY SENTENCING REFORM. YOU ARE THE HISTORY MAKERS-YOU HAVE BROUGHT EQUITY AND FAIRNESS TO A BROKEN SYSTEM. WE ARE SO PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU. Del. Dawn Adams Del. Lashrecse Aird Del. Alex Askew Del, Hala Ayala Del. Lamont Bagby Del. Jeff Bourne Del. David Bulova Del. Betsy Carr Del. T. Carroll Foy Del Lee Carter Del. Joshua Cole Del. Convirs-Fowler Del. Carrie Coyner Del. Karrie Delaney Del. G. Gooditis Del. Nancy Guy Del. E. Guzman Del. Cliff Hayes Del. Dan Helmer Del. Stephen Heretick Del. Patrick Hope Del. Sally Hudson Del. Chris Hurst Del. Clinton Jenkins Del. Jay Jones Del. Mark Keam Del Kaye Kory Del. Paul Krizek List of lawmakers who voted to end mandatory jury sentencing: The VA House of Delegates (A-K) GOVERNOR RALPH NORTHAM CHIEF PATRON SEN JOSEPH MORRISSEY MADAM SPEAKER EILEEN FILLER-CORN MAJORITY LEADER CHARNIELE HERRING THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SB5007; JURY SENTENCING REFORM. YOU ARE THE HISTORY MAKERS-YOU HAVE BROUGHT EQUITY AND FAIRNESS TO A BROKEN SYSTEM. WE ARE SO PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU. Del. Dawn Adams Del. Lashrecse Aird Del. Alex Askew Del, Hala Ayala Del. Lamont Bagby Del. Jeff Bourne Del. David Bulova Del. Betsy Carr Del. T. Carroll Foy Del Lee Carter Del. Joshua Cole Del. Convirs-Fowler Del. Carrie Coyner Del. Karrie Delaney Del. G. Gooditis Del. Nancy Guy Del. E. Guzman Del. Cliff Hayes Del. Dan Helmer Del. Stephen Heretick Del. Patrick Hope Del. Sally Hudson Del. Chris Hurst Del. Clinton Jenkins Del. Jay Jones Del. Mark Keam Del Kaye Kory Del. Paul Krizek List of lawmakers who voted to end mandatory jury sentencing: The VA Senate GOVERNOR RALPH NORTHAM CHIEE PATRON SEN. JOSEPH MORRISSEY SEN MAJORITY LEADER RICHARD SASLAW THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING SB5007; JURY SENTENCING REFORM. YOU ARE THE HISTORY MAKERS-YOU HAVE BROUGHT EQUITY AND FAIRNESS TO A BROKEN SYSTEM. WE ARE SO PROUD TO STAND WITH YOU. Sen. G. Barker Sen. John Bell Sen. J. Boysko Sen. Creigh Deeds Sen. Adam Ebbin Sen. John Edwards Sen. Barbara Favola Sen. G. Hashmi Sen. Janet Howell Sen. Lynwood Lewis Sen. Mamie Locke Sen. Louise Lucas Sen. David Marsden Sen. Monty Mason Sen. J. McClellan Sen. Jeremy McPike Sen. J. Petersen Sen. Lionell Spruill Sen, William Stanley Sen. Scott Surovell
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
Virginia’s old mandatory jury-sentencing laws chilled the exercise of trial rights producing excessive sentences untethered to VA’s sentencing guidelines. The system was prone to arbitrariness because juries lacked comparative sentencing info & weren’t guided by the same framework judges use. 2/4
Image: cover of 2020 blog on Justice Forward Virginia’s website. Picture of courtroom. Text: Jury Sentencing, a broken process. July 17, 2020 Reforming Jury Sentencing - Reducing Virginia's Trial Penalty. Virginia's current law allows prosecutors to force a defendant into a jury trial, which means a jury sentence, if convicted. Sentencing ranges often require juries to give a minimum sentence that don't apply to judges and juries are not allowed to be told about or recommend alternatives to incarceration, such as probation, drug or mental health treatment, or community service. A simple change that allows defendants to choose sentencing by a judge is one step toward a more fair system. Read More →
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Sentencing guidelines called for 1 day to 6 months of incarceration, yet Shebri Dillon was sentenced to 30 yrs in a Virginia prison! We’ve filed an amicus brief highlighting how old mandatory jury sentencing laws support Shebri’s ineffective counsel claims. 1/4
justiceforwardva.com/blog/2025/9/...
Image: picture of a blog post on Justice Forward Virginia’s website. Text: September 24, 2025 Sentencing guidelines called for 1 day to 6 months, Shebri Dillon was sentenced to 30 years.
September 25, 2025 at 7:17 PM
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Law enforcement agencies across the U.S. accessed Bridgewater,VA’s surveillance data 6.9MILLION times. “I’m concerned with the degree to which this kind of data could be used to suppress dissent, to suppress freedom of opinion,” said a resident. vcij.org/stories/stat... @whropublicmedia.bsky.social
Image: Bar graph of top origins of Bridgewater's Flock data queries Text: Top origins of Bridgewater's Flock data queries Houston, TX 511,486 Indianapolis, IN 146,656 Dallas, TX 101,087 Louisville, KY 90,316 Palm Beach County, FL 82,571 Fairfax County, VA 76,947 Norfolk, VA 71,442 DeKalb County, GA 62,682 Jefferson City, MO 61,358 Cobb County, GA 60,872 Chart: Kunle Falayi • Source: Town of Bridgewater
September 23, 2025 at 9:11 PM
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RICHMOND: There’s help for people saddled with criminal records—at no cost—on Friday, September 12th, 2025. Register for the expungement clinic by September 1, 2025 to remove eligible criminal & traffic charges from public record here: www.virginiajusticeconference.com/richmond-exp...
Flyer Virginia Justice Conference Criminal Record Expungement Clinic Flyer text: Do you have non-convictions in the city of Richmond, VA? You may be eligible to expunge those charges from your Virginia criminal record at no cost. Scan the QR code for more information and to register or visit https://www.virginiajusticeconference.com/richmond-expungement-clinic-registration/ September 12, 2025 10AM-2PM Greater Richmond Convention Center Registration required by September 1, 2025 In partnership with: Nolef Turns Inc, University of Richmond Carrico School of Law, Justice Forward Virginia Foundation, Richmond Office of the Commonwealth Attorney, University of Richmond Police Department, Capital One Legal Pro Bono, Richmond Public Law Library
August 28, 2025 at 12:56 AM
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“By embedding safeguards against consolidation, investing in the repair of impacted people communities, and ensuring fair competition, Virginia can legalize cannabis right…” @chelseahiggswise.bsky.social virginiabusiness.com/virginias-ch...
Image: cover photo of op-ed featuring Chelsea Higgs Wise. Text: Virginia's chance to legalize marijuana right Learn lessons from other states' experiences Chelsea Higgs Wise // August 26, 2025
August 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
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Join us at the 2025 Virginia Justice Conference in RVA Sept. 11-12! The event hosts a resource fair, expungement clinic, and panels & workshops focused on VA’s 3 constitutional amendments, probation, parole, higher ed in prison, the politics of crime, and more: www.virginiajusticeconference.com
Image: Virginia Justice Conference logo and schedule of events. Nolef Turns Inc. Logo. Image of state of Virginia. Text: Virginia Justice Conference September 11th, 12th, & 20th. The inaugural conference, resource fair, expungement clinic, and awards & sneaker ball are to bring the Virginia justice community together to learn, teach, and strategize for the upcoming year, and celebrate together. Day of Learning September 11, 2025 Panels, Resource Fair, Learning Sessions, Voices from the Inside Day of Action September 12, 2025 Panels, Resource Fair, Strategy Sessions, Free Expungement Clinic Day of Celebration September 20, 2025 Justice Conference Awards, Sneaker Ball, Fundraiser, Fellowship Registration for all events here at: www.virginiajusticeconference.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:39 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
The Justice Forward Virginia Foundation has published a comprehensive guide to understanding Virginia criminal record expungement & sealing laws and to help impacted people determine eligibility. You can access that resource here: www.justiceforwardvafoundation.org/expungements...
Image: Snapshot of the Justice Forward Virginia Foundation resource page on criminal record expungement and record sealing. Text: criminal record expungement and record sealing
August 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
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1 in 3 American adults has a record, which can create significant barriers to finding suitable work, housing, etc. Along with our partners, we are committed to educating attorneys and helping people determine eligibility for relief in Virginia from burdensome criminal records.
Image: Picture of expungement info workshop. Justice Forward Virginia Foundation logo. Text: On July 1, 2026, a record sealing law passed by the General Assembly in 2021 and then substantially amended in 2025 will take effect after a long, difficult wait.
August 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
Getting to see a CJ reform from concept to creation is rare. @rpogge.bsky.social not only helped lead the charge for expungement & record sealing reform, but he’s also putting it into action—last week, teaching Shenandoah pub defenders & co-hosting a clinic in Hampton-Newport News! #VALeg
Image: Rob Poggenklass instructing public defenders from around the Shenandoah about expungement and record sealing laws. Image: Rob Poggenklass instructing public defenders from around the Shenandoah about expungement and record sealing laws. Image: Rob Poggenklass outside of the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center in Hampton-Newport News Image: Expungement Clinic at the Downing Gross Cultural Arts Center in Hampton-Newport News
August 24, 2025 at 12:22 AM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: Register for VACDL’s virtual 1.5 hour MCLE credit—The State of Record Clearance in Virginia. The webinar, presented by @rpogge.bsky.social, covers updated record clearance information that lawyers MUST know. Wednesday, August 6th from 3PM-4:30PM: vacdl.org/event-6271649
Image: picture of presenters teaching an expungement course. Text: VACDL Web Series 2025 The State of Record Clearance in the Commonwealth of Virginia This webinar will address what attorneys need to know about expungements, record sealing types and effects, and changes to the law. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6, 2025 Time: 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Presented by Rob Poggenklass, Esq. Executive Director for Justice Forward Virginia Foundation $15 for VACDL Members $30 for Non Members •1.5 Hours of MCLE Credit To register visit www.vacdl.org/events Webinar not open to full or part-time prosecutors
August 1, 2025 at 1:04 PM
justicefwdva.bsky.social
Since we were founded by public defenders in 2017, we’ve ended mandatory jury sentencing, placed unprecedented limits on pretextual policing, capped probation terms & jail time for technical violations, and scores of other needed reforms. Today even more reforms become law. 1/8:
Image: Justice Forward Virginia logo. Del. Rae Cousins, Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, Del. Katrina Callsen, and Sen. Creigh Deeds all in Courts of Justice hearings. Text: New criminal justice reforms take effect July 1, 2025.
July 2, 2025 at 12:50 AM