crime and punishment
War on Children, Chapter 4
Editors’ Note: This is Chapter 4 of a six-chapter expose by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit “newsroom” that produces investigative journalism “with moral force.” The treatment of children in Tennessee reported here, of whatever race, by local officials, is almost unimaginable…. Read More ›
The Itinerant Vigilante
Don Quixote was not a vigilante in the literal sense of the term. His self-appointed mission was essentially to revive the romantic qualities of medieval chivalry as a knight errant wandering in search of adventures. An ideal knight represented a… Read More ›
State Treatment of Black–and Other–Children
Editors’ Note: This is Chapter 1 of a six-chapter expose by ProPublica, an independent, nonprofit “newsroom” that produces investigative journalism “with moral force.” The treatment of children in Tennessee reported in this article–of whatever race–by state officials is almost unimaginable…. Read More ›
The Oxymoron of Criminal Justice
Crime has been a reality in society forever, and one seemingly immune to resolution, much less elimination. Whether motivated by need or want or emotion, criminal offenses may be inevitable. Offenses against persons and property have existed, as the Bible… Read More ›
Beyond Reasonable Doubt
For nearly 300 years following its founding until 1909, Virginia’s capital punishment preference was hanging. Up to 1918, another 90 individuals were dispatched by lynching, sometime characterized by the euphemistic term “extra-judicial” procedure. In a race to lead, Virginia has… Read More ›
The Executioner’s Song
Editors’ Note: Sourced from AP News, April 17, 2020. The career of Virginia’s executioner opens questions about reasonable doubt. Jerry Givens, who served as Virginia’s chief executioner for 17 years before he himself was sent to prison and later became… Read More ›
Second Chance Month: Restorative Justice for all Virginians
Editors’ Note: Reposted from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, May 15, 2019. By Brian J. Moran (Mr. Moran is Virginia secretary of public safety and homeland security. He serves as Gov. Ralph Northam’s adviser on criminal justice and public safety issues.) RESTORATIVE… Read More ›
Zero Tolerance in Virginia Equals No Winners
Editors’ Note: This article reflects changing circumstances and some changed thinking from the lead article published in last week’s VoxFairfax. As of this writing (February 10), the almost unbelievable brouhaha in Virginia state government has cascaded discussions of racism, #MeToo,… Read More ›