This petition is designed in order to make an attempt to not have juveniles sentenced to harsh prison sentences. Veronica Bravo is a prime example of a minor being sentenced as an adult, perhaps even receiving a more harsh punishment than some adults. Not only was it a 21-year sentence for a 16-year-old girl, but also of her being violated of some of her rights. Initially, she was interrogated by the authorities without a parent, lawyer, or legal guardian present when first arrested. At which time, she had not been charged as an adult, which still shouldn't make a difference because her age was still 16 years old. When the time came for Veronica to be sentenced, a letter was submitted to the court, or to be more specific, to her judge, basically challenging him to give her an aggravated sentence. In most cases, this would have granted her Change of Venue, but not in this case; she was handed the Super Aggravated sentence for her crime. She has served ten years of a 21-year sentence. In this time, she has done everything that is in her power not only to better herself but to help others as well. She is currently working towards her degree in substance abuse, which will be used to help troubled youth hopefully stay on a better path and for this cycle to not be repeated. Despite being incarcerated, she also helps women further their education by being a tutor. This woman can make an extremely positive impact on many people's lives if only granted the opportunity.

My husband received 32 years for a drug deal gone bad,He has never been to prison before and he has been gone for over 17 years,No one was hurt,,He has taken every class offered, He was doing the non scared straight program and he is a brand new man,He has paid his dues for a mistake and bad judgment call in a split second.He has completed all CDCR has to offer.He is rehabilitated and im afraid if he dont get some relief that an adverse effect will take place and all the changes he has made will turn to anger with no hope ,,prop 57 is said to give all the good people that work hard and dont do any of the prison politics and no creeps or weirdos will get a pass,my husband is educated,loves,cries.lives,he wants to come home and hold us and cry, its been his,our life inside prisons hell all alone, help him get a second chance, he deserves it.

Because of Donald Trump, violence continues to escalate in the United States, dividing our nation of many different races, creeds, colors and religions, against each other. This is the "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA" and Donald Trump is creating a "Divided States of America" through speeches aimed to invoke rage, anger and violent actions.

General Assembly Republicans have proposed that the notorious extremist and former Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, be placed on the Virginia Supreme Court. After forcing an unquestionably qualified jurist off the bench, they are engaged in a shameful last-minute ploy to install a radical conservative activist. We cannot allow this to happen. Contact our Delegate and Senator now and tell them Ken Cuccinelli cannot serve on the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Honduras has lost one of its most courageous indigenous leaders, Berta Caceres. Caceres was the General Coordinator of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras. In 2015, she won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her activism and leadership. She was assassinated on March 2. At her memorial service on March 5, Berta's children read a statement from Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy. In his statement, Leahy said: "the investigation of this crime must be independent and comprehensive, including the participation of international experts. Those responsible for ordering and carrying it out must be brought to justice…the Rio Blanco and the territory that Berta devoted her life to defend, should be protected. The Agua Zarca dam project should be abandoned." [1] U.S. government policy is implicated in Berta's death. The U.S. government has financed and defended the Honduran government that failed to protect Berta's life. [2] Senator Leahy has said future U.S. aid to the government of Honduras should be tied to the outcome of an independent investigation into the assassination. [3] Urge Anderson Cooper to ask Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton how U.S. government policy in Honduras should change following this crime by signing our petition. References: 1. https://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/remarks-of-senator-patrick-leahy-on-remembering-berta-caceres 2. http://www.thenation.com/article/the-clinton-backed-honduran-regime-is-picking-off-indigenous-leaders/ 3. http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/probe-assassination-berta-caceres

Honduras has lost one of its most courageous indigenous leaders, Berta Caceres. Caceres was the General Coordinator of the National Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras. In 2015, she won the Goldman Environmental Prize for her activism and leadership. She was assassinated on March 2. Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont said: “… this horrific crime demonstrates that no one, not even an internationally known social activist, is safe in Honduras if they speak out against corruption or abuse of authority… The immediate question is what President Hernandez and his government -- which has too often ignored or passively condoned attacks against Honduran social activists -- will do to support an independent investigation, prosecution, and punishment of those responsible for this despicable crime. And beyond that, what steps will the government take to protect the many other Hondurans who have been deemed in need of protection, and to stand up for the rights of people like Berta who risk their lives in peacefully defending the environment and their livelihoods. The answers to those questions will weigh heavily on the Congress’s support for future assistance for that government.” [1] Urge Congress to demand an independent investigation by signing our petition. References: 1. http://www.leahy.senate.gov/press/reaction-of-senator-patrick-leahy-d-vt-ranking-member-senate-appropriations-subcommittee-on-the-state-department-and-foreign-operations-on-the-assassination-of-berta-caceres-in-honduras

Over the last several years, Congress and the U.S. Sentencing Commission have reduced the penalties for drug trafficking and have released tens of thousands of convicted drug traffickers from prison early. Congress has also stopped the distribution of money to state and local law enforcement agencies through the asset forfeiture sharing program—money that is vital to the ability to fight drug cartels, gangs, and other serious criminals. Over the past five years, the Department of Justice has reduced federal prosecutions of violent offenders, drug traffickers, and those committing firearm and other serious federal felonies by 25%. Meanwhile, murders, rapes, and other violent crimes are spiraling upward at rates unprecedented in recent times, and our Nation faces the worst opioid epidemic in our history. State and federal law enforcement officials are under attack by media outlets and organizations with anti-law enforcement agendas. Shockingly, Congress is considering legislation that will further seriously weaken the federal criminal justice system. If passed, this legislation will reduce the penalties for armed career criminals, serial violent offenders, armed drug traffickers and repeat drug traffickers, and it will make thousands of these previously convicted offenders eligible for early release from federal prison. The legislation will substantially undermine truth-in-sentencing (currently one of the strengths of the federal system) by giving some federal offenders as much as one-third off their sentence for receiving prison-provided training. Other legislative proposals will make more difficult law enforcement efforts to forfeit the ill-gotten proceeds of criminal activity and limit or eliminate the sharing of forfeiture proceeds with state and local law enforcement agencies. It is time for Congress to support law enforcement efforts that preserve public safety and reject so-called reforms that undermine our federal criminal justice system. If you are a leader in law enforcement (or a retired leader), please sign our petition and provide your title and law enforcement agency in the comments section along with any comments you think appropriate. More information on the myths of sentencing reform can be found on the National Association of Assistant U.S. Attorneys’ webpage: http://www.naausa.org/site/index.php/sentencing-reform

Honorably discharged veteran, Raymond Schwab, working at the Dept. Of Veteran Affairs in Kansas, requested a transfer to Colorado, so he could pursue cannabis treatment for his PTSD. The state of Kansas responded by taking his children away, and will only return custody if he gives up his legal cannabis treatment, even though he is a Colorado resident with a medical necessity. It is sickening that we repay our veterans by first denying them a safe and effective treatment in the state they reside, and then we punish them by taking away their children when they attempt to move. The state of Kansas should have no legal ground to keep his kids from him any longer.

A close family friend battled with addiction. Years ago, he was arrested and sentenced for possession with intent to distribute. Although he may have had no intention to sell the drug, the amount he had in possession at the time of his arrest led to these charges. After a few years in jail, isolated from family, friends, and social support he was released. My family, his family, and a few friends tried to offer support, but he refused to accept help. He roomed with an old friend and began to isolate himself, we didn't see him for weeks at a time, and he had trouble finding full-time employment and worked in a bar until late at night. Roughly eight months after his release his roommate found him unconcious in his room and called 911. He was not breathing and was rushed to the hospital only to be pronounced dead at arrival. I believe in a fair and just democracy. I believe people should have a second chance and given the appropriate resources to change and attempt a life in recovery. I believe that social support heals and that isolation can worsen mental conditions and addiction. I believe that people have a right to raise their voice to correct an injustice that many individuals have served in the presence of drug addiction and/or social, emotional and physical distress, or mental anguish that are a leading cause of substance abuse.

Ramsey Orta is facing unconstitutional legal punishment for bearing witness to police lethal force. There are several layers in this case where multiple Constitutional rights are being broken: the creation of undo charges as reprimand for filming the police lethal force victim Eric Garner; disestablished checks-and-balances between the court, judge, jury, and police; failure to protect Ramsey as a witness; and the ultimate failure to acknowledge Eric Garner's murder as such named event and that his murderers were police, who should be legally reprimanded. This case affects every citizens' Constitutional Rights.

My son Terry Bell Jr died Jan14,2012 while in custody of Cook County Juvenile Detention Center If u google it there is a news article about him.Cook county is refusing to release video footage of the day this happen. Our family would like to know ANSWERS

A human life is much more precious than any animal even when it is property of the police department