GJP staff looked on as Governor Deal signed HB 261 on May 8th. HB 261 clarifies that the retroactive first offender statute, which went into effect in 2015, applies to all eligible cases since 1968.
GJP’s Executive Director, Doug Ammar, was chosen as one of Davidson’s Game Changers. Doug received his undergraduate degree from Davidson College in 1984, and Davidson and GJP have worked together on several projects over the years. Davidson’s Game Changers, by definition, would be someone who questions the status quo and pushes themselves and others to achieve more than they thought possible, thereby offering what the world needs most from them. Doug is being honored because of his selfless work with GJP, … read more Doug Ammar – Davidson College 2016 Game Changer
On Thursday, October 27, the State Bar of Georgia awarded one of GJP’s volunteers, Michele Young, as a 2016 recipient of the H. Sol. Clark Pro Bono Award. Michele was honored for her professionalism and commitment to the delivery of pro bono civil legal services to the marginalized and underserved through her work on criminal record restriction. Michele has volunteered with GJP for two years, and brought expertise, insight and depth to our work on criminal records. Georgia Justice Project … read more State Bar of Georgia Recognizes Michele Young and GJP’s Criminal Records Clinic
On April 27, 2016, Governor Nathan Deal signed Senate Bill 367, an important bill that reduces barriers to reentry for thousands of returning citizens across Georgia. Georgia Justice Project advocated for several measures in this bill which improve opportunities for Georgians with a criminal record to find employment and stability following an arrest. Senate Bill 367 implements the recommendations of the Georgia Council on Criminal Justice Reform and contains several measures that improve opportunities for successful reentry, including: … read more Governor Nathan Deal Signs SB 367
Marissa McCall Dodson, GJP’s Policy Director and Attorney was honored on July 24, 2015 with the National Association of Criminal Justice Lawyers’ (NACDL) Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award at NACDL’s 14th Annual State Criminal Justice Network conference in Denver, Colorado. The Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award recognizes an individual or group who has made exceptional efforts advocating for progressive reform of a state’s criminal justice system. Marissa received this award in large part because of her tireless efforts … read more Policy Director Marissa McCall Dodson to be Awarded “Champion of State Criminal Justice Reform Award” by National’s Criminal Defense Bar