National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Honor Ceremony
April 9, 2025
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office and the Victim-Witness Program of Portsmouth observed National Crime Victims’ Rights Week from April 6th through April 12th under this year’s theme: “Kinship, Connecting, and Healing.”
As a meaningful tribute to honor and remember our citizens who passed away in 2024 due to violent crime, an honor ceremony and special dove release was held, symbolizing that their memory will always be cherished.
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney, Honorable Stephanie Morales, remains deeply committed to standing with victims, fostering trust, and uplifting our Portsmouth community.
We understand that grief, much like the ocean’s waves, comes in its own time and cannot be controlled. If you or your loved one has been affected by violent crime, our dedicated staff is here to support you. Please feel free to reach out to our Victim-Witness team at (757) 393-8581.
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Honor Ceremony in the news - WAVY
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week Honor Ceremony in the news - WTKR
Adult Recovery Court Graduation Ceremony
The Honorable Stephanie Morales and staff attended the Portsmouth Adult Recovery Court graduation ceremony on April 2, 2025 to celebrate the accomplishments of the graduate and encourage those currently in the program. The Portsmouth Adult Recovery Court program, formerly known as the Portsmouth Drug Treatment Court, has been in existence for more than 20 years and serves to empower eligible individuals with drug convictions to lead a sober and law-abiding lifestyle.
Read Across America Day 2025: "Create & Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers"
March 7, 2025
On March 7th, Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales and her staff celebrated Read Across America Day at Churchland Elementary School by sharing the love of reading with students. Members of the office read to a dozen different classes. The students were very engaged and discussed the books afterwards. They even asked questions and learned a little about the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.
Read Across America Day, also known as Dr. Seuss Day, is an initiative created by the National Education Association to motivate and inspire a love of reading while improving literacy rates among children.
The theme for this year was "Create & Celebrate a Nation of Diverse Readers." Read Across America Day is celebrated annually during the week of March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.
Congratulations to our newest Junior Commonwealth’s Attorneys from Churchland High School!
February 2025
Students from Churchland High School participated in the Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative.
The students sat in on a court hearing with Judge Morrison presiding. Between hearings, Judge Morrison took the time to converse with the students and answered lots of questions.
Afterwards, the students participated in a one-on-one session with Commonwealth’s Attorney Morales, where they learned more about careers in the law and the justice system.
At the end of the day, the students participated in a fun mock trial inside of a courtroom.
“My experience with the Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney was very enriching. My peers and I got the chance to also meet many of the attorneys and police officers, and learned about many different legal occupations. Having an opportunity to be inside a courtroom and see the process and procedures in action is a privilege I will never forget, “ said Churchland High School student Mia Moore.
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office regularly hosts students from across Hampton Roads in an effort to introduce youth to the court system in a positive manner while enabling them to learn about the justice system and different career paths and internship opportunities.
Parents of students interested in attending the Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative can email Antoinette Ramseur at ramseura@portsmouthva.gov or call 757-393-8581, ext 7032.
Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative at Churchland Middle School
January 9, 2025
Commonwealth’s Attorney Morales took her Future Leaders Initiative on the road to Churchland Middle School. Mrs. Morales and other staff members had a great visit with Ms. Clayton’s 7th grade class.
The students were engaged and asked great questions while learning about the criminal justice system and different types of careers in law.
Congratulations to our newest Junior Commonwealth’s Attorneys!
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office regularly hosts students from across Hampton Roads in an effort to introduce youth to the court system in a positive manner while enabling them to learn about the justice system and different career paths and internship opportunities.
Parents of students interested in attending can email Antoinette Ramseur at ramseura@portsmouthva.gov or call 757-393-8581, ext 7032.
Missy Elliott partners with Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, ForKids and Children’s Museum for annual toy giveaway
December 21, 2024
Picture Courtesy: WTKR
By: WTKR
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A hometown hero returned to Portsmouth to host a toy giveaway at the Portsmouth Children's Museum.
Grammy-award-winning rapper Missy Elliott partnered with local nonprofit Forkids, the Portsmouth Children's Museum, and the Commonwealth's Attorney's office to put on this celebration.
Elliott donated over $60,000 in toys and gift cards.
Each child submitted a wish list to get their gift request fulfilled. The families who participated also got a $350 gift card per child to ease financial stress during the holidays.
Stephanie N. Morales Future Leader’s Initiative
October 2024
Pictures Courtesy: Portsmouth Public Schools
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is extremely proud of the brilliant group of students that attended the Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative on Monday, October 21, 2024. They represented I.C. Norcom High School, Norview High School and Norfolk State University very well. Their questions and discussions about the justice system showed they are great thinkers and will have bright futures for sure.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office welcomes many students from Hampton Roads and beyond each year as a way to introduce them to the court system in a positive way while enabling them to learn about the justice system and also explore different career paths and internship opportunities.
Parents of students interested in attending can email Antoinette Ramseur at ramseura@portsmouthva.gov or call 757-393-8581, ext 7032.
National Night Out
October 1, 2024
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office participated in National Night Out, an annual community-building event that promotes partnership between law enforcement and citizens, under positive circumstances. Office representatives spoke with citizens and answered questions about how crimes are prosecuted in the city, the role of our victim-witness department in prosecution and resources for crime victims. The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office is always seeking new ways to connect with the community we serve.
Never Forget: City of Portsmouth Remembrance Ceremony of the 23rd Anniversary of September 11, 2001
The City of Portsmouth held a Remembrance Ceremony for the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy that happened on September 11, 2001. The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office joined other city offices and citizens in attendance to remember and honor the nearly 3,000 lives that were lost in New York City, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania following the terrorist attacks on our nation that day. We stand in solidarity with the country to remember the families who continue to grieve and to pay tribute to the first responders and civilians who rushed to the aid of the victims and assisted in recovery efforts. We will never forget.
Stephanie N. Morales Future Leader’s Initiative
July 2024
The Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office hosted its Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative on July 8, 2024.
More than 40 local students from elementary to high school visited the Portsmouth Judicial Center to learn about various careers in the law from Commonwealth’s Attorney Morales, judges, other attorneys and support staff.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office has hosted hundreds of students over the years in an effort to introduce youth to the court system in a positive way while enabling them to also explore different career paths and internship opportunities.
“Many times, fear tactics are used to introduce young people to the criminal justice system but I know how brilliant our young people are and I believe in seizing opportunities to personally engage with our youth and nurture their moral development. A strong moral compass combined with the intellectual capacity of our youth will enable them to realize their potential to become productive members of society,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Morales.
The Portsmouth Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney works to consistently leave a positive impact on our community and to motivate and inspire our youth to dream big.
High School junior Mykael’a Berkley attended this year’s event for the first time. “The Future Leader experience was very educational, enjoyable, and interesting to me. I’ve known I wanted to be an attorney for quite some time now but never really thought it through. Participating in this program has allowed my love for law to grow. It helped me learn a little more about what actually happens in court. This program has also helped me get ideas on the different law schools & colleges I would like to consider attending as I’m entering my junior year in high school. There were also amazing attorneys who spoke to us about their journeys & experiences, which encouraged me to not give up no matter what journey I go through, because everyone’s journey is different,” said Mykael’a.
The Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative is held annually and students from across Hampton Roads and beyond are welcomed. During the program, students learn different aspects of the law and their aspirations are encouraged.
Parents of students interested in attending can email Antoinette Ramseur at ramseura@portsmouthva.gov or call 757-393-8581, ext 7032.
Stephanie N. Morales Future Leaders Initiative
Meet the Junior Commonwealth's Attorney class of 2019
These dynamic students are going to make some very special marks on our communities in the near future. Thank you to everyone who answered my call to engage with these inquisitive young ones today! They learned from our favorite court reporter Mr. Spratley, Deputy Public Defender Stevenson, Judges Melvin, Morrison and Crowe, several members of the Sheriff Department, our community Historian Mrs. Mae Breckenridge Haywood and the amazing attorneys and administrative professionals of the office. Today we truly brought a sense of community to the courthouse. Our future leaders are ready!
Read Across America Day
On March 1st, staff members of the Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office celebrated Read Across America Day with students at Churchland Elementary School. Attorneys and other staff members spent time reading to the students and discussing what types of books they like to read. Read Across America Day, also known as Dr. Seuss Day, is an initiative created by the National Education Association to encourage children to read. It is celebrated annually on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss.