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What’s happening at the Academy for Justice

Brittney Griner: What’s next after WNBA star pleads guilty in Russia?

“In the United States, over 95 percent of people take a guilty plea, regardless of whether they are guilty or innocent, to avoid a more severe penalty,” she told The Independent. A guilty plea allows people to avoid a trial, and get home to their families faster.

Russian media: Brittney Griner pleads guilty in Russia drugs trial

Russian news agencies say jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner has pleaded guilty to drug possession and smuggling charges during her trial in Moscow.

Griner pleads guilty to drug smuggling charges in Russia

Jailed American basketball star Brittney Griner reportedly pleaded guilty to drug smuggling charges in Russia.

Brittney Griner Trial in Russia

Academy for Justice Deputy Director Valena Beety spoke with Fox 10 AZ AM’s Syleste Rodriguez and Ty Brennan about the start of Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner’s trial in Russia.

Brittney Griner’s court case begins Friday, experts speak out

Brittney Griner’s court case began Friday, as legal experts speak out.

‘Bite Marks,’ Homophobia, and Bias: How Two Women Were Wrongly Convicted Because They Loved Each Other

“This case was a confluence of faulty forensic evidence — bogus bite mark evidence — homophobia, stereotypes about drug use, and bias against substance use disorders, which all converged together to lead to these wrongful convictions,” said Valena Beety, who represented Ms. Stubbs in her post-conviction litigation.

Supreme Court Limits Prosecutions For ‘Crimes of Violence’

Story by Ashley Oddo; What is a crime of violence and does it include attempted robbery under the federal Hobbs Act? In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that attempted Hobbs act robbery does not qualify as a crime of violence.

In the Opioid Epidemic Prosecutions Don’t Always Help Victims

After working as a Rape Victim Advocate, I knew that I wanted to become a prosecutor. I saw how violence impacts survivors. I wanted to end the cycles of violence and stop the perpetrators. I thought prison was the answer, and that I could be a protector.