I’ve gone through a lot of different kinds of harassment and intimidation campaigns over the years, and none as stupid nor as prolonged, or recurrent as those from lolicon enthusiasts. In my experience, most people who are obsessed with ferreting out perceived defects in or misdeeds of others are typically compensating for their own insecurities or misdeeds.
I think it's certainly a good result for her, though I'd be surprised if she would be allowed to return to teaching ultimately. I think it certainly looks a lot closer to what should be done in the majority of cases, as opposed to sending someone to prison for a zillion years and then making their lives unlivable when they get out. It all depends on the facts of the case, though.
While we are happy (and incredulous) for Grimley, it is impossible for us to ignore that many of us have been denied such equally careful consideration for the same or even far lesser 'offenses.' Some signatories to this letter who committed the same as Ms. Grimley received long sentences in prison. Others, who were recently ensnared while acting lawfully on dating apps, had their lives destroyed without any “restorative justice” intervention. We were convicted for supposedly attempting to engage with a minor sexually, though with absolutely no sexual intent, sexual conversation, or sexual contact, and no incriminating pictures. In fact, in many cases, there was no minor at all, only police decoys! Dishonest court officers and police made the case to overly sympathetic courts, however, and we were punished as if we had committed some violent or aggressive action. Our family members, friends, and allies have been similarly abused for standing with us against devious, undemocratic and manipulative police practices online, or have otherwise been abused by Corrections officers, probation officers, law enforcement, and even predatory attorneys and sex offense treatment “experts.” Contrast that with Grimley’s very lenient penalty; conveniently having her four, Class 4 felonies reduced to two misdemeanors, providing she completes a one year probation period and ‘treatment.’! And, by returning to public life, she will likely retain her pension, benefits, and more. Perhaps she will even get to keep her teaching license, since she will no longer be branded a “felon.” Public teachers such as myself and other signatories to this letter have had our pensions clawed back by the commonwealth – money we have earned over long years of service. No such penalty seems to accrue to Grimley.
The glaring injustice of this should shock the conscience of the Crime Commission. Almost no one can escape substantive and ongoing post-incarceration punishment. Many were forced to register as sex offenders, experience pointless and ineffectual probation programs, and all experienced the collateral damage such stigma entails - financial, emotional, and social ruin.Yet, there was no restorative justice offered any of us.
Not content with the status quo, we have worked behind the scenes in Virginia political circles, aided by our fellow citizens of Citizens Against Government Entrapment - CAGE, to bring parity and fair treatment to those often viewed as the lowest. We would like again this year to bring to our elected General Assembly leaders proposals for equity.
In that spirit, we ask you to join with us in sponsoring either or both of the following options before one or more members of the 2024 Virginia Senate and House of Delegates:
A). Be it mandated under Virginia law that sex offenses as described under any statute of the commonwealth be eligible for a diversion program such as Restorative Justice maintains, and that upon petition by a defendant, a circuit court judge shall order a diversion program alternative to incarceration and in lieu of placement on the Sex Offender Registry at sentencing upon conviction of either a first offense or a no-contact offense or an offense for which there is no actual minor involved; or,
B). Be it mandated under Virginia law that upon petition by a defendant under a first time offense, a circuit court judge shall order at sentencing upon conviction of either a first offense or a no-contact offense or an offense for which there is no actual minor involved an alternative to registration on the Sex Offender Registry;
C). Certain no-contact sex crimes should be removed from the list of those required to register as sex offenders, with 18.2-374.3 being an obvious choice to be in that number; and
D). Police officers are specifically prohibited from conducting any pro-active sex stings on adult dating or other social media platforms unless they first have a warrant and affidavit (not administrative subpoena). This avoids cops “hanging out” on adult platforms, claiming to be saving kids who rarely frequent there.
These bills or similar would place the sex “offender” on par with the same penalties and diversion programs for drug-related offenses for which diversion programs have proved beneficial. Letter C would place reasonable limits on police abuse online and These needed changes would also remove the post-conviction cycle of perpetual punishment and long-term stigma involved with required continuing enrollment on the sex offender registry. Each of these proposed bills should be a retroactive feature to encompass all of us, regardless of time on registry, so we can avoid further discrimination in housing, employment, credit, and other stigmata.
We would welcome opening a dialogue with you on this matter. Please reach back out to us.
Sincerely,
Norman M. Achin, M.A., M.Ed Bonnie Burkhardt, M.S.
I think it's certainly a good result for her, though I'd be surprised if she would be allowed to return to teaching ultimately. I think it certainly looks a lot closer to what should be done in the majority of cases, as opposed to sending someone to prison for a zillion years and then making their lives unlivable when they get out. It all depends on the facts of the case, though.
Hi, Guy. Great post. I wonder what you feel about this...
office@vrjc.org
KHoward@vscc.virginia.gov
cdrabert@vscc.virginia.gov
Commonwealth.Attorney@fauquiercounty.gov
AAshworth@pwcgov.org
Steve.descano@fairfaxcounty.gov
August 22, 2023
Hello:
The signatories of this letter and those voiceless incarcerated individuals for whom we write send it with mixed feelings.
The sad case of former teacher Kaitlin Grimley (see: https:/www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/former-fauquier-county-math-teacher-will-not-register-as-a-sex-offender/65-6138c67b-5652-4863-9855-132beef8a9bbhttps://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/virginia/former-fauquier-county-math-teacher-will-not-register-as-a-sex-offender/65-6138c67b-5652-4863-9855-132beef8a9bb underscores the need for thoughtful, just action, of the type Restorative Justice has apparently brought to Ms. Grimley's benefit. After a short probation, Ms. Grimley can return to teaching, despite having sexual intercourse with her students!
While we are happy (and incredulous) for Grimley, it is impossible for us to ignore that many of us have been denied such equally careful consideration for the same or even far lesser 'offenses.' Some signatories to this letter who committed the same as Ms. Grimley received long sentences in prison. Others, who were recently ensnared while acting lawfully on dating apps, had their lives destroyed without any “restorative justice” intervention. We were convicted for supposedly attempting to engage with a minor sexually, though with absolutely no sexual intent, sexual conversation, or sexual contact, and no incriminating pictures. In fact, in many cases, there was no minor at all, only police decoys! Dishonest court officers and police made the case to overly sympathetic courts, however, and we were punished as if we had committed some violent or aggressive action. Our family members, friends, and allies have been similarly abused for standing with us against devious, undemocratic and manipulative police practices online, or have otherwise been abused by Corrections officers, probation officers, law enforcement, and even predatory attorneys and sex offense treatment “experts.” Contrast that with Grimley’s very lenient penalty; conveniently having her four, Class 4 felonies reduced to two misdemeanors, providing she completes a one year probation period and ‘treatment.’! And, by returning to public life, she will likely retain her pension, benefits, and more. Perhaps she will even get to keep her teaching license, since she will no longer be branded a “felon.” Public teachers such as myself and other signatories to this letter have had our pensions clawed back by the commonwealth – money we have earned over long years of service. No such penalty seems to accrue to Grimley.
The glaring injustice of this should shock the conscience of the Crime Commission. Almost no one can escape substantive and ongoing post-incarceration punishment. Many were forced to register as sex offenders, experience pointless and ineffectual probation programs, and all experienced the collateral damage such stigma entails - financial, emotional, and social ruin.Yet, there was no restorative justice offered any of us.
Not content with the status quo, we have worked behind the scenes in Virginia political circles, aided by our fellow citizens of Citizens Against Government Entrapment - CAGE, to bring parity and fair treatment to those often viewed as the lowest. We would like again this year to bring to our elected General Assembly leaders proposals for equity.
In that spirit, we ask you to join with us in sponsoring either or both of the following options before one or more members of the 2024 Virginia Senate and House of Delegates:
A). Be it mandated under Virginia law that sex offenses as described under any statute of the commonwealth be eligible for a diversion program such as Restorative Justice maintains, and that upon petition by a defendant, a circuit court judge shall order a diversion program alternative to incarceration and in lieu of placement on the Sex Offender Registry at sentencing upon conviction of either a first offense or a no-contact offense or an offense for which there is no actual minor involved; or,
B). Be it mandated under Virginia law that upon petition by a defendant under a first time offense, a circuit court judge shall order at sentencing upon conviction of either a first offense or a no-contact offense or an offense for which there is no actual minor involved an alternative to registration on the Sex Offender Registry;
C). Certain no-contact sex crimes should be removed from the list of those required to register as sex offenders, with 18.2-374.3 being an obvious choice to be in that number; and
D). Police officers are specifically prohibited from conducting any pro-active sex stings on adult dating or other social media platforms unless they first have a warrant and affidavit (not administrative subpoena). This avoids cops “hanging out” on adult platforms, claiming to be saving kids who rarely frequent there.
These bills or similar would place the sex “offender” on par with the same penalties and diversion programs for drug-related offenses for which diversion programs have proved beneficial. Letter C would place reasonable limits on police abuse online and These needed changes would also remove the post-conviction cycle of perpetual punishment and long-term stigma involved with required continuing enrollment on the sex offender registry. Each of these proposed bills should be a retroactive feature to encompass all of us, regardless of time on registry, so we can avoid further discrimination in housing, employment, credit, and other stigmata.
We would welcome opening a dialogue with you on this matter. Please reach back out to us.
Sincerely,
Norman M. Achin, M.A., M.Ed Bonnie Burkhardt, M.S.
Woodbridge, VA Springfield, VA
Kim Avery Milesh Patel
Salem, VA Bristow, VA
Audra Garcia Tammie Lawson
Aurora, CO Independence, VA
Marilyn & Tom McCarthy Gordon McCarthy
Chesterfield, VA Chesterfield, VA
Robert Scianne Ryan & Darlene Pick
Chesterfield, VA Woodbridge, VA
John Zulaski Prem Thapa
Connecticut Reston, VA
johnz1966@gmail.com
Michael Cook
Centreville, VA
I very much appreciate how clearly you lay this out. As an older person with cognitive impairment, it is assuring to see such clarity.