Virginia
The Virginia State Conference of the NAACP pushes to eliminate mandatory jury sentencing
By
Virginia – The Virginia State Conference (VSC) of the NAACP is asking the House of Delegates to support Senate Bill 5007 which would eliminate mandatory jury sentencing in Virginia.
“There is a disparity in judges doing sentencing and juries doing sentences,” President of the VSC, Robert Barnette said.
Barnette said they want jurors to have the same opportunities as judges. Juries follow guidelines in sentencing and are not able to lower sentences. Defendants then choose between a fine or incarceration. The VSC claims, as a whole, prosecutors are generally less likely to offer favorable plea agreements to Black and Brown communities.
“Our democracy depends on everyone receiving a fair shake. I often look at the justice symbol with the lady with the blind fold and again, it shouldn’t depend on race, it shouldn’t depend on what ethnic background you are associated with,” Barnette said.
Barnette said they are also trying to limit the power prosecuting attorneys have and that the goal is to have the bill passed and moved on to the governor’s desk.
-
Virginia7 days agoWythe County Community Hospital begins offering new nurses a residency program
-
Local News2 weeks agoIn May, Roanoke Valley Comicon will return
-
Local News2 weeks agoAs parents fight to keep two primary schools open, emotions are rising
-
Local News1 week agoOne person hospitalized after a house fire on Bedford Avenue
-
Local News2 weeks agoThe presence of the Lynchburg Police Department in downtown will grow
-
Virginia2 weeks agoVBOE is seeking input on the proposed method of school accreditation
-
Local News2 weeks agoNational Minority Health Month brings awareness to health disparities
-
Local News1 week agoRoanoke gas prices have decreased by two cents
Leave a Reply