Criminal cases; sentencing reform, procedure for trial by jury, etc.

Criminal cases; sentencing reform. Providesthat in a criminal case the court shall ascertain the extent of thepunishment unless the accused has requested that the jury ascertainpunishment or was found guilty of capital murder. The bill also providesthat if a jury cannot agree on a punishment, the court shall declarea mistrial. The bill provides that the attorney for the Commonwealthmay not demand a jury trial when an order declaring a judicial emergencyhas suspended criminal jury trials. The bill also provides that theVirginia Criminal Sentencing Commission shall prepare a fiscal impactstatement reflecting the operating costs attributable to and necessaryappropriations for any bill that would result in a net decrease inperiods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities.