Restorative Justice
As Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney, I would immediately initiate Restorative Justice. Restorative Justice allows the accused to empathize with the victim by promoting open conversation between the accused and the victim. This process promotes accountability and restoration.
“Research shows that crime victims often do not feel that prosecution and sentencing serve them well; restorative justice can help address their concerns. These programs also have a consistent track record of achieving lower rates of recidivism than traditional penalties, including for serious offenses.” (1)
This Vision for Norfolk is Long Overdue!
(1) Fair and Just Prosecutions, 21 Principles for the 21st Century Prosecutor; Alliance for Safety and Justice, “Crime Survivors Speak,” https://allianceforsafetyandjustice.org/wp-content/ uploads/documents/Crime%20Survivors%20Speak%20Report.pdf.