Concurrence Presentation set for Oct 28th

The LWV of Delaware Advocacy Corps Criminal Justice Committee has scheduled a presentation and discussion of the LWV of California Criminal Justice Position to our membership by Zoom web conference on October 28, 2021, starting promptly at 6:30 pm. The committee seeks a possible concurrence by LWVDE with the LWVC Position to adopt a more robust and resonant Criminal Justice Position for Delaware.

Why Criminal Justice?

One-third of U.S. adults have had some experience in the justice system which has had a tremendous impact on voting rights.

All Delaware citizens have a right to equal treatment under the law and to a criminal justice system that is just, effective, equitable, transparent, and that foster public trust at all stages, including policing practices, pre-trial procedures, sentencing, incarceration and re-entry.

Why Update our Position?

The strength of the League lies in connecting our community to governmental agencies to shape policy reforms.  League advocacy stems directly from the Position Statements we adopt as an organization. It is time to review our LWV of Delaware Position to make sure it supports suitable action.

Why Now?

The DE General Assembly will reconvene in January 2022 with 13 criminal justice bills. This will be a critical chance to have an impact on policy reforms in our state.

Rather than undertake a two-year study, the LWV of Delaware Advocacy Committee Criminal Justice Team’s preferred option is to concur with the more robust LWV of California Position that evolved over 4 years of study. This would allow us to have a more effective criminal justice position in place for Delaware’s upcoming legislative session. The state Leagues of AZ, NC, MI, and NY have adopted California’s Position by concurrence already.

Our Speaker

We are fortunate to have with us Ashley Raveche, the Deputy Area Director of Social Policy for the LWVC.  She was on the state task force that developed the California Criminal Justice Position being proposed for concurrence.  She also participated on the drafting committee for the LWVUS’s Emergency Resolution on Racial Justice.  (A fuller bio is provided at the end of this article.)

Ms. Raveche will share the process for adopting a new criminal justice position for Delaware by concurrence, and discuss the California position, with Q&A to follow.

Registration, Resources and Timeline

League members are encouraged to pre-register and attend the October 28 event if possible, so they can learn and ask questions. Questions will also be taken ahead of time by email, and the presentation will be recorded and available by video for those who cannot attend. League-wide voting on the proposed concurrence will take place separately, in the November timeframe. If the membership achieves concurrence, the new position then goes to the LWVDE Board for approval.

Registration link: Oct 28 Meeting Registration - Zoom

The  event flier is available to download and share with other League members.

• California Position (for concurrence):  LWVC Criminal Justice Position - revised February 2019.pdf
• In context on the LWVC web page:  lwvc.org/our-work/positions/position-criminal-justice
• Current Delaware position (to update):  LWVDE Position under SP Criminal Justice.pdf
• LWVDE full Program: my.lwv.org/delaware/position/league-women-voters-delaware-positions. The current Delaware Criminal Justice Position is on pp.18-19 of the LWVDE Program document for 2021-2023.

More About Ashley Raveche

Our speaker Ashley Raveche participates in collaborative policymaking for local and state groups with a focus on public safety, open government, and human rights issues.

She is the Deputy Area Director of Social Policy for the League of Women Voters of California. She was on the state task force that developed the California Criminal Justice position being proposed for concurrence. Ashley also participated on the drafting committee for the National League's Emergency Resolution on Racial Justice.

Ms. Raveche is a stakeholder for the San Francisco Police Department's Executive Sponsor Working Groups for Use of Force and Bias-free policing. Ashley successfully reformed department policies specific to 4th Amendment search and seizure practices, use of mug shots, workplace harassment, reporting hate incidents, and a community education campaign for "Know Your Rights". She led the Bias by Proxy subcommittee and her recommendations were adopted by the California Department of Justice as best practice. She also helped develop the Department's Bias-free Policing Strategic Report, where she encourages more interagency responses and community-driven solutions.

 Ashley is a Director for the Southern Marin Fire District Board, where she implements policy for fire service members. She is also a Commissioner on the Mill Valley Emergency Preparedness Commission, helping to build more resilient communities.