Justice System

League of Women Voters^®
of Virginia

Public Policy Position

JUSTICE SYSTEM
Courts
The League of Women Voters of Virginia believes that good courts depend on informed and active participation of citizens who should be served without discrimination. We support mandatory training programs and uniform qualifications for magistrates. The Court of Appeals should receive additional personnel as needed.
Judicial Selection
The League believes that the judicial selection process should:

Include participation of laymen as well as lawyers;
Use reviews of qualifications by experts;
Minimize political pressures;
Provide broad geographical representation, areas, minority groups and women; and
Keep the public informed.

We support the present system of election and re-election of judges by the General Assembly with a nominating commission to present a slate of names for each judicial office;
Sentencing
The League believes that judges, rather than juries, should have the power of sentencing. A pre-sentencing report, including a victim impact statement and the opportunity for presentation of testimony and argument should be available to the judge or jury charged with sentencing.
Corrections
We believe the goals of a corrections system should be:

The protection of society;
The rehabilitation of offenders;
To provide deterrence diversion and protection programs; and
Restitution of offenders.

To achieve these goals we support a classification system to place the offender in the most effective treatment program at the proper level of security. We support effective vocational and educational programs and special rehabilitative programs. Adequate staffing is necessary to provide safety for the community, prison personnel, and inmates.
The League believes that the criteria for a effective correctional system includes adequate financing, effective administration, and planning and coordination among related agencies. Treatment of inmates and personnel should be humane and non-discriminatory. (1970's)

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