November 2009
DON'T THROW AWAY THE KEY: Reevaluating Adult Time for Youth Crime in Virginia
The JustChildren Program of the Legal Aid Justice Center released a new report calling on Virginia policy makers to reexamine the state’s current system for trying youth as adults. The report, Don’t Throw Away the Key: Reevaluating Adult Time for Youth Crime in Virginia, examines the impact of the 1996 legislative changes in Virginia that dramatically curtailed the decision making power of juvenile court judges, and finds that the law is overly broad, unbalanced, can be unfairly applied, and can lead to increases in youth re-offending rates. The report’s findings and recommendations are timely as the Virginia State Crime Commission is currently studying the issue of trying youth as adults and is expected to issue their recommendations on December 15, 2009.
See the full report by clicking the link below:
Don't Throw Away the Key: Reevaluating Adult Time for Youth Crime in Virginia
The report's release has been widely covered in Virginia newspapers:
"Juvenile Sentencing Rule Scrutinized" Daily Progress, November 17, 2009
"Study Criticizes Virginia's Handling of Youth Offenders" Richmond Times Dispatch, November 17, 2009
"Study: Courts Too Often Treat Juveniles as Adults" The News & Advance, November 17, 2009
"Teen Crime Needs Balanced Response" The Virginian Pilot, November 22, 2009
"Community Safety: Time to Rethink Our Approach to Juvenile Sentencing" Richmond Times Dispatch, November 23, 2009
This Loan Is An Example of What Went Wrong In America
One of our mortgage cases was recently featured on the Huffington Post. As the attorney on the case stated, "This Loan Is An Example of What Went Wrong In America." Read the story here.
INCARCERATION NATION A Success !
Incarceration Nation, an event to benefit the Legal Aid Justice Center, addressed the question of why our prison system is so overburdened, racially disparate, and fundamentally inhumane - and steps that can be taken to encourage change. The evening featured an episode from the documentary series 30 Days, entitled “Jail”, by Morgan Spurlock of the award-winning film, Supersize Me. Following the film, Master of Ceremonies John Grisham moderated a panel discussion of experts on the prison reform movement, including: R. Dwayne Betts, poet and author of, A Question of Freedom: A Memoir of Learning, Survival and Coming of Age in Prison, David Fathi, Director of Human Rights Watch’s U.S. program. Prior to the film The Honorable Jim Webb, U.S. Senator from Virginia, made a video address to the crowd of over 700 people.
This event was held at the Paramount Theater in Downtown Charlottesville at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 19, 2009.
Watch the event coverage from NBC29 News.
Read the follow-up story in the Charlottesville Daily Progress.
View a Short Video about our Virginia Institutionalized Persons Project (17 minutes).
Save The Date! Working Together: Third Annual Conference On Senior Care
The Community Partnership for Improved Long-Term Care will host a conference for caregivers of the elderly: "Working Together: Third Annual Community Conference on Senior Care" on February 16-17, 2010. The Community Partnership for Improved Long-term Care is organizing the conference with co-sponsors The Alzheimer's Association, Central and Western Virginia chapter, Blue Ridge Long-Term Care Associates, and the Jefferson Area Board on Aging (JABA). This conference builds on the two prior successful caregiver conferences organized by U.Va. Geriatrics and partner organizations. This year's conference is being made possible in part by a training grant from the Virginia Center on Aging. Read more
Claire Curry Wins National Award
Claire Curry, the Legal Director of our Civil Advocacy Program, was awarded the first Toby S. Edelman Legal Justice Award from NCCNHR, the national advocacy organization for long-term care reform, http://www.nccnhr.org. This new award was created “to recognize individuals who, working through or with the legal system, go to extraordinary lengths to achieve justice for long-term care consumers.” Claire was presented with the award at the Awards Brunch at NCCNHR’s 34th Annual Meeting and Conference, Sunday morning, October 25, at the Hamilton Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Washington, DC. Congratulations, Claire!
News you can use
The Housing Division of the City of Charlottesville has prepared "Resources for Housing Needs in the Charlottesville/Region Ten Area," which includes information about Legal Aid services. Read this informative guide here.