The Delaware Center for Justice (DCJ), a non-profit organization devoted to advocating for justice-infused policies and services for all Delawareans, puts its mission into action through a variety of programs, services, and advocacy work. DCJ's programming is evidence-based and state-of-the-art, demonstrating a commitment to both its clients and systemic justice.
One area in which DCJ is currently invested is the reform of non-convictions law. According to DCJ, almost 90% of employers conduct a background check before hiring, and these checks include non-conviction records. Current law in Delaware prevents people serving terms of incarceration, probation, or parole from applying for an expungement, even if the cases have been decided in their favor. DCJ asserts that this is unjust, as these individuals have been legally found not guilty. If these individuals were not serving sentences, these cases would be eligible for mandatory expungement, a discrepancy that DCJ argues needs fixing.
To address this issue, DCJ proposes a legislative amendment to Delaware's current expungement law. The proposed amendment would allow those currently incarcerated, on probation, or parole to clear their records via the mandatory expungement process for cases that have been terminated in their favor. The draft for this proposed bill is expected by February or March.
Besides non-convictions law, DCJ is also immersed in the fines-fees reform movement, the details of which are not stated. DCJ's multi-faceted approach towards advocacy hints at their commitment towards a justice-impacted society.
In addition to these programs, DCJ maintains a legislative tracker and posts employment opportunities, events, and other resources on its website. They also welcome donations, emphasizing the impact those funds can have on the justice-impacted community. Their blog and Our Stories sections provide narratives that underscore the Center's mission and the people they serve.
Furthermore, DCJ is committed to legislative progress involving marijuana. House Bill 1, is in favor of removing penalties for use or possession of personal use amounts of marijuana and accessories. The legislation also legalizes adult sharing of personal use quantities of marijuana, provided both parties are over 21.
Overall, DCJ's work portrays a snapshot of their dedication to transforming the legal system in Delaware and supporting those negatively impacted by the system. They not only assist their clients but also advocate for broader systemic change across several areas in the legal sphere, such as expungement and marijuana policies.
