HB 520 Virginia House of Delegates · 2024 Regular Session

Summons; promise to appear after issuance, issuance of summons instead of warrant in certain cases.

Summary
Promise to appear after the issuance of a summons; issuance of summons instead of warrant in certain cases; nonviolent felonies. Provides that if any person refuses to give a written promise to appear after the issuance of a summons, the arresting officer shall give such person notice of the time and place of the hearing, note such person's refusal to give his written promise to appear on the summons, and forthwith release him from custody. Under current law, any person refusing to give such written promise to appear is required to be taken immediately by the arresting officer before a magistrate or other issuing officer having jurisdiction.The bill also provides that a law-enforcement officer, at his discretion, may issue a summons instead of a warrant for certain felony offenses, described in the bill, if (i) in the judgment of the officer, the person charged will cease committing the illegal act; (ii) in the judgement of the officer, the person charged does not pose an immediate threat to public safety; and (iii) the person charged signs a written promise to appear at the time and place of the hearing. The bill prohibits a law-enforcement agency from creating a policy that requires or prohibits release for persons meeting such criteria.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 8, 2024 Last action Feb 13, 2024
Floor votes

How they voted

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
2
Committee
6
Feb 8, 2024
Committee
Rereferred to Courts of Justice
lower
Feb 8, 2024
Committee
Motion to rerefer to committee agreed to
lower
Feb 2, 2024
Lower · Passed
Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (13-Y 8-N)
lower
Jan 29, 2024
Lower · Passed
House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered
lower
Jan 26, 2024
Committee
Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
lower
Jan 8, 2024
Committee
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Patrick Hope
Patrick Hope
DDemocratic
VA
1