Committee pauses HB1070 on prior-conviction evidence; requests study and bifurcation work After extensive debate about jury prejudice and constitutional limits, the Courts committee carried over HB1070 and asked for staff/counsel work and a letter to the Virginia Criminal Justice Council to study a bifurcated-process alternative.

Virginia's Courts committee is taking a closer look at House Bill 1070, which aims to tackle jury bias by changing how prior convictions are presented—could a new bifurcated approach be the solution?

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#VA #JuryReform #CitizenPortal #ConstitutionalRights #VirginiaJustice

Bill would require facilities to report deaths in custody within 10 days after low compliance in prior reporting HB 80 would expand and enforce reporting of deaths in custody across jails, prisons and law enforcement facilities; sponsors cited low compliance among entities and the bill would require reports within 10 days and introduce funding consequences for noncompliance. The committee reported the bill and re-referred it to Finance.

A new bill aims to enforce timely reporting of deaths in custody across Virginia's facilities, addressing alarming compliance issues that could impact funding for noncompliant entities.

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#VA #CivicAccountability #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #VirginiaJustice

Committee backs bill limiting prospective Fourth Amendment waivers in plea deals Senate Bill 23 would bar prospective waivers of Fourth Amendment rights in plea agreements and sentencing orders, with exemptions for certain offenses and specialty dockets; the subcommittee reported the bill 7–3 after testimony from public defenders and prosecutors.

Virginia's Senate Bill 23 aims to protect defendants from waiving their Fourth Amendment rights in plea deals, a move that could reshape justice for marginalized communities.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #CriminalReform #JuvenileProtection #VirginiaJustice #CivilRights

Justice Committee moves dozens of bills; key votes and referrals from criminal and civil dockets The Justice Committee advanced a wide package of criminal and civil bills—reporting several with substitutes and referring some to Appropriations or other committees. Notable outcomes include HB 1298 (reported and referred with substitute, 22–0), HB 1219 (drones, reported as amended, 22–0), and HB 193 (reported and referred to Appropriations, 14–7).

The Justice Committee has just advanced a significant package of criminal and civil legislation, setting the stage for critical changes in public safety and justice reforms.

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#VA #CitizenPortal #VirginiaJustice #PublicSafetyTechnology #CivilLawReforms #CriminalJusticeReform

Committee tables bill to add one‑year mandatory minimum for certain felony eluding cases Patron sought a mandatory one‑year minimum for felony eluding when forcible stop techniques were used; opponents argued mandatory minimums strip judicial discretion. A substitute motion to table HB 99 passed 7–3.

Virginia's proposed HB 99 aimed to enforce a one-year mandatory minimum for felony eluding cases but faced strong opposition and was ultimately tabled.

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#VA #JudicialDiscretion #CitizenPortal #LawEnforcementReform #VirginiaJustice #CriminalJustice

Justice Committee advances multiple criminal-justice measures to appropriations, including sentence-modification and payment-credit bills The House Justice Committee reported several criminal justice bills to Appropriations, including HB16 (crediting community service performed while incarcerated toward fines and costs), HB17 (extending the delinquency window from 90 to 180 days and requiring deferred payment agreements) and HB26 (automatic hearings to consider modifying certain marijuana sentences).

Virginia's House Justice Committee is pushing forward groundbreaking criminal justice reforms that could reshape how fines are paid and sentences are modified for past marijuana offenses.

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#VA #CriminalReform #VirginiaJustice #CommunityService #SentencingModification

Committee favors giving judges discretion over secured bonds, amends technical language and reports bill (8–1) The subcommittee amended HB357 to remove mandatory secured‑bond rules so judges can weigh individual risk factors when setting secured versus unsecured bonds; supporters said the change restores judicial discretion and avoids disparate impacts.

Virginia's HB357 empowers judges to make fairer decisions on bonds, eliminating mandatory rules that disproportionately affect low-income individuals.

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#VA #CriminalReform #VirginiaJustice #SocialJustice #JudicialDiscretion #CitizenPortal