Virginia

Virginia Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Transgender Student Policy on Technicality

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York County, VA – A Virginia Circuit Court judge on Monday ruled to dismiss a legal challenge brought by the ACLU of Virginia regarding the state’s new model policies for transgender students. The case, which highlights increasing legal tensions over transgender rights in schools, was thrown out on procedural grounds without addressing the policies’ content. The legal challenge was initially filed by the ACLU on behalf of a transgender student in York County, alleging that her teacher refused to use her preferred pronouns and name, thus violating her rights. This case underscores the broader debates … Read more

Former Virginia Delegate Matt Fariss Faces Felony Drug and Firearm Charges

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CAMPBELL, Va. — Former Delegate Matt Fariss, who served Virginia’s 59th House District for over a decade, faces felony charges after a grand jury accused him earlier this month of illegal drug possession and firearm offenses. This controversy marks just the latest in a series of legal troubles for the politician who left office in January. The charges stem from a March arrest in Campbell County where Fariss was found with Schedule I and II drugs, typically associated with substances like heroin and methamphetamine, and a gun. The conditions of the case are complicated by … Read more

From Behind Bars to Lead Plaintiff: Virginia Man Sues Over Extended Sentence Despite New Early Release Law

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Richmond, VA – After a grueling 11 years behind bars for attempted robbery and firearms use, Leslie Puryear anticipated his freedom, bolstered by a Virginia law designed to reduce prison sentences for exemplary conduct and rehabilitation efforts. As part of a 2020 criminal justice reform borne out of nationwide calls for a more equitable system, Puryear had qualified for early release, only to find his dreams dashed when corrections officials recalculated his sentence, adding three more years to his time in prison. Initially encouraged by the reforms, which promised a significant decrease of his 18-year … Read more

Federal Judge Dismisses West Virginia Inmate Lawsuit Against Governor Over Jail Conditions

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CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A federal judge has recently dismissed a class action lawsuit that challenged the conditions of West Virginia’s corrections system. The lawsuit, initiated last August by several inmates, targeted both Gov. Jim Justice and the head of the state’s Department of Homeland Security, Cabinet Secretary Mark Sorsaia, alleging systemic understaffing, overcrowding, and neglected maintenance across the state’s correctional facilities. On Tuesday, U.S. District Court Judge Irene Berger ruled that the lawsuit misdirected its claims by not naming the responsible state agencies and legislative bodies, namely the Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DCR) and … Read more