The following chart provides an inventory of the commissions and task forces created pursuant to the new criminal justice reform law.
Author Archives: Ava Callender Concepcion
Changes in Veterans’ Diversion under Criminal Justice Reform and the BRAVE Act
Last month the Massachusetts House and Senate voted unanimously to pass the “BRAVE Act,” a bill designed to expand access to services and benefits for veterans and their families. Although the recently enacted Criminal Justice Reform Law generally expanded diversion availability for adults and juveniles, it eliminated some diversion opportunities for veterans otherwise eligible under the VALOR Act. The BRAVE Act restores one of those opportunities, allowing veterans to be considered for veterans diversion if charged with a first offense operating under the influence (OUI).
Lawmakers move to repeal Valor Act
Legislative leaders moved Wednesday to repeal the state’s controversial Valor Act and replace it with a far more narrow measure intended to close loopholes that allowed some veterans to avoid criminal charges, including assaults on women, by citing their military service.
Press Release on the “BRAVE Act”
The BRAVE Act, which now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration, is the legislature’s latest effort to support veterans, military members and their families.
Criminal Record Access after An Act Relative to Criminal Justice Reform
Where criminal records are more readily available via the internet and third-party background checkers, the potential for long lasting collateral consequences is increased. The recently enacted Criminal Justice Reform law seeks to reduce the negative impact of criminal records on a person’s ability to reintegrate into society..
Collateral Consequences
This post summarizes collateral consequence issues in Massachusetts and the effects of the Criminal Justice Reform act of 2018 on collateral consequences.