Virginia could soon let high-risk felons roam free without secured bail. Critics say this is the latest in a series of victim last legislation.
If signed into law, Virginia House of Delegates Bill 357 would remove the requirement that those who have been previously convicted of a felony, already on bond for an unrelated arrest, or are on parole or probation must have a secured cash bail to be released.
While judges will retain the discretion to impose secured cash bail, critics have argued that removing this mandatory requirement will increase the likelihood that high-risk offenders will be released without facing accountability for their actions. (RELATED: Virginia Democrats Just Made It Legal to Discriminate in State Contracting)
House Bill 357 is one of several bills that have been put forth during this session of the General Assembly focused on reducing or eliminating criminal sentences. Supporters of these bills argue that these bills will have many positive outcomes such as aligning with the principle of “innocent until proven guilty,” reducing jail overcrowding which will in turn reduce the burden on Virginia taxpayers.
Critics have further argued that the reduction or elimination of certain parts of the criminal justice system gives criminals an opportunity to abuse the system. Those abuses of the criminal justice system will translate into the endangerment of Virginia’s safe communities.
Other bills that serve to reduce or eliminate certain parts of the criminal justice system are House Bill 863 which reduces the mandatory minimum sentencing on a large swath of crimes and House Bill 149 which reduces the length of an individual’s probation.
These bills stand in stark contrast to other bills put forward this General Assembly session. While these bills that seek to reduce and eliminate aspects of the criminal justice system have found popular support in the General Assembly, several bills that sought to increase penalties and protect victims were killed. House Bill 99 established a mandatory minimum for felony eluding, House Bill 102 increased the penalty for manslaughter, House Bill 538 removed the statute of limitations on the sexual assault of an infant, and House Bill 989 increased the penalty for sexual abuse committed against children.
Critics argue that the killing of these House Bills that increase penalties and protect victims in favor of House Bills that decrease penalties and endanger victims suggest that the General Assembly is more interested in protecting criminals instead of citizens and victims.
House Bill 357 now awaits the signature of Governor Abigail Spanberger to be made law in Virginia. Those who are interested in lobbying for or against the bill are encouraged to contact the Constituent Services office of Governor Spanberger. (RELATED: Virginia’s Anti-Deepfake Election Bill Could Cost Violators $25,000)