News / FJP Releases

April 14, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Urges Supreme Court: Don’t Let Technicalities Keep People Behind Bars

Today, Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) and four other organizations submitted an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in Bowe v. United States, urging the Court to ensure that people have a meaningful opportunity to challenge their convictions.

FJP Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig Released the Following Statement on the Case:

“Public safety depends on a justice system people can trust — one that’s grounded in truth, fairness, and accountability. That trust breaks down when courts leave people behind bars for arbitrary and fundamentally unjust reasons. Michael Bowe is currently in prison based on a classification that no longer applies to his convictions, yet the Eleventh Circuit won’t even let him argue for his freedom. A justice system that keeps any person unlawfully in prison due to its refusal to correct past mistakes is a broken system.”

April 7, 2025

FJP Statement on Tomorrow’s Scheduled Execution of Michael Tanzi

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) condemns the upcoming execution of Michael Tanzi in Florida, who is scheduled to be executed by lethal injection tomorrow, Tuesday, April 8th at 6 P.M. EST. Florida’s three-drug lethal injection protocol has drawn sharp criticism for using etomidate—an anesthetic linked to involuntary movements and pain—as its first drug, making it the only state to do so and raising Eighth Amendment concerns about cruel and unusual punishment. Mr. Tanzi’s defense team has argued that Florida’s lethal injection protocols do not take into account Mr. Tanzi’s medical conditions—obesity and chronic sciatica—and will cause ‘serious illness and needless suffering.’

Acting Co-Executive Director Amy Fettig issued the following statement ahead of Florida’s planned execution on Tuesday:

“Barring last-minute intervention, the state of Florida will execute Mr. Tanzi with lethal injection tomorrow. State-sanctioned killing in Florida is not justice—it is cruelty cloaked in the language of ‘justice.’ As the only state using the controversial sedative etomidate, Florida is knowingly inflicting inhumane and unconscionable levels of pain and suffering. In the case of Mr. Tanzi, that cruelty is compounded by a glaring disregard for his documented medical conditions and history of childhood trauma. Despite urgent pleas for mercy from Mr. Tanzi’s defense team and moral leaders such as Catholic Bishop Michael Sheedy, the state continues to press forward with his execution. Florida can and must do better. The execution of Mr. Tanzi is not justice—it is a moral failure and a lasting stain on the state of Florida. Our thoughts are with the loved ones of both Michael Tanzi and his victims, Janet Acosta and Caroline Holder.”

March 26, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Releases Issue Brief and Model Policy Advocating for the Decriminalization of Consensual Sex Work

Today, Fair and Just Prosecution announced the release of a comprehensive issue brief and model policy designed to help elected prosecutors develop evidenced-based policies for decriminalizing consensual sex work. These new resources highlight the significant public safety and health benefits of decriminalizing sex workers and provide clear recommendations for how prosecutors can consider handling these cases in ways that limit both illegal trafficking and reduce threats against sex workers themselves.

FJP’s issue brief, titled “Decriminalizing Sex Work: Key Principles and Policy Recommendations for Prosecutors,” offers an in-depth analysis of the harms associated with the criminalization of sex work and outlines evidence-based recommendations for change. The brief emphasizes that consensual sex work and sex trafficking are distinct issues that require different legal approaches. Criminalizing consensual sex work, the brief notes, only drives sex workers away from seeking help from law enforcement, exacerbates their vulnerabilities, and undermines trust in our criminal legal system.

FJP’s new model policy is a resource for prosecutors seeking to make a difference on this issue. It offers guidance on creating policies to avoid unnecessary prosecution of consensual sex work while continuing to vigorously pursue cases involving violence, trafficking, and abuse of minors. The policy also provides guidance on expunging charges related to consensual sex work that may prevent vulnerable sex workers from seeking other employment opportunities. By decriminalizing consensual sex work, the policy encourages a focus on “public health and harm reduction rather than punitive measures.”

March 25, 2025

Fair and Just Prosecution Welcomes Preston Shipp as New Director of Advocacy and Policy

Fair and Just Prosecution (FJP) is pleased to announce that Preston Shipp has joined the organization as its new Director of Advocacy and Policy. In this leadership role, Preston will drive FJP’s national advocacy efforts, shape policy strategies, and collaborate with forward-thinking leaders to implement transformative initiatives aimed at reforming the criminal legal system, reducing mass incarceration, and strengthening public safety.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Preston to FJP at a time when our work is more urgent than ever,” said Acting Co-Executive Director of Fair and Just Prosecution Robin Olsen. “Preston brings deep personal commitment and powerful leadership in the movement to reimagine justice. His voice will be a tremendous asset as we continue to support leaders across the country working to build a criminal legal system grounded in fairness, equity, and compassion.”

March 24, 2025

“The End of the Rule of Law as We Know It” – FJP Condemns Trump Assault on Legal Community As Assault on Democracy