July 31, 2020–Due Process Institute’s Policy Counsel submitted written testimony to Virginia’s Senate Judiciary and Social Services Committees urging the state to adopt reforms that “improve fairness and the effective administration of justice” during the Commonwealth’s upcoming special legislative session.
He urged the members of the Virginia General Assembly to adopt the following reforms:
- An end to the state’s statutory presumptions of pretrial detention for certain crimes that disrespect our principle that every individual is innocent until proven guilty.
- Requiring a formal hearing before pretrial incarceration for all individuals arrested or charged with a crime.
- Removing one of the largest barriers to police accountability—qualified immunity.