Criminal Justice (Corrections)

passed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 473: Creating felony offense of using electronic device to threaten violence

SB 473 creates felony penalties for threatening to commit violent crimes using electronic devices (like texts, social media, or emails) when the threat causes a building evacuation, widespread fear, or serious disruption. It directly affects individuals who send such threats, making it a felony if the communication causes significant public alarm or evacuation. The law specifies that prosecutors must prove the threat was viewed as threatening by a reasonable person, and it prohibits defenses like claiming the threat wasn't "real." Penalties include fines up to $10,000 or prison terms of 1-10 years for these offenses.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by creating felony penalties for electronic threats, increasing punitive measures in criminal justice without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Firearms

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 21, 2026

HB 4650: Modifying the process by which a Defendant is entitled to a trial by jury in municipal court

HB 4650 modifies when defendants in West Virginia municipal court are entitled to a trial by jury. It specifies that only defendants charged with offenses carrying potential jail time or fines exceeding $5,000 qualify for a jury trial. This change directly affects individuals facing municipal court criminal charges where penalties could reach these thresholds, replacing previous eligibility rules with the new $5,000 fine standard. The bill does not alter jury size (still 12 members) or other procedural rules for municipal court trials.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeLimits jury trial access for lower-level offenses, reducing defendant rights by restricting eligibility to only high-penalty cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 34: Establishing 3-year mandatory prison sentence for person convicted of illegal possession of Schedule I and Schedule II drugs

This bill (SB 34) creates a mandatory 3-year prison sentence for anyone convicted of illegally possessing Schedule I or II controlled substances (excluding cannabis). It applies to possession offenses, with exceptions for people who were incidentally exposed to the substances or forced to possess them. First-time offenders may qualify for conditional discharge, and the bill specifies that cannabis possession is not covered by this new sentencing requirement. The law amends existing West Virginia drug statutes to enforce these penalties.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 3-year prison for drug possession (excluding cannabis), increasing mandatory sentences and expanding criminalization, opposing reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 175: Prohibiting camping in public areas without consent

SB 175 makes it a misdemeanor to camp in public spaces like sidewalks, parks, or under bridges without permission from the managing authority. It prohibits intentional camping (defined as temporary residence with shelter) and sets penalties of up to $1,000 fines, 30 days in jail, or 40 hours of community service for violations. First-time offenders receive a warning citation instead of penalties, and officers must try to direct people to alternative camping options before issuing citations. The bill explicitly allows local governments to maintain stricter camping rules and does not override existing ordinances that meet specific standards.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes camping without consent, expanding criminalization of homelessness behavior, opposing reform efforts that prioritize housing over punishment.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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signed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jun 29, 2026

HB 4996: Relating to bail in cases involving terroristic threats to schools or children

HB 4996 requires courts to impose mandatory bail conditions for defendants charged with terroristic threats against schools or child-focused facilities (like preschools or daycares). It prohibits defendants from residing within 1,000 feet of the threatened facility or any similar educational location where children are regularly present. Additional conditions may include GPS monitoring to enforce exclusion zones, no contact with students/staff, or home incarceration outside the restricted area. Violations trigger immediate arrest, bail forfeiture, or custody remand, with courts using GIS or property records to measure proximity. The bill directly affects individuals facing charges under §61-6-24(b) related to school threats.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates stricter bail conditions including exclusion zones and GPS monitoring for terroristic threats against schools, increasing restrictions on defendants and reducing their rights.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 28, 2026

HB 4857: Increasing penalty for transporting telecommunicating devices into jails.

HB 4857 increases penalties for transporting telecommunication devices (like cell phones) into West Virginia correctional facilities. It directly affects visitors, staff, or others attempting to bring such devices into jails or state correctional facilities without authorization. The bill makes it a felony to transport devices onto facility grounds (fines of $1,000-$5,000 or 2-10 years imprisonment) and a misdemeanor to knowingly bring them into restricted areas without approval (fines of $100-$500 or up to 1 year in jail). These provisions aim to prevent unauthorized communication devices from entering secure facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for transporting devices into jails, expanding criminalization within correctional facilities per explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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passed · West Virginia · Senate Jan 29, 2026

SB 55: Establishing criminal offense for obstructing or hindering home incarceration supervisor or social services worker

SB 55 creates a new felony offense for knowingly, willfully, and forcibly obstructing or hindering a home incarceration supervisor or social services worker while they are lawfully performing their duties, if the obstruction causes the death of that professional. It directly affects individuals who obstruct these workers and the workers themselves, who are protected under this law. The key provision sets a mandatory minimum 20-year prison sentence (with no parole eligibility before 20 years) for this offense, replacing a prior 15-year term. This law expands existing protections for public safety personnel to include home incarceration supervisors and social services workers handling cases like abuse investigations or home-based supervision.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeImposes mandatory 20-year sentence for obstruction, increasing penalties and expanding criminalization per oppose indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing Tags Public Safety

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 23, 2026

HB 4787: The Anti-Terrorism Act

HB 4787, the Anti-Terrorism Act, creates new felony charges for terrorism in West Virginia, directly affecting individuals or groups committing acts defined as terrorism (including violent protests, riots, or attacks on critical infrastructure). Key provisions include mandatory consecutive prison sentences with no probation, restitution payments to victims up to three times their economic harm (such as lost wages or business shutdown costs), and requiring the Attorney General to designate terroristic entities. The bill also explicitly defines fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and prohibits "terrorist swatting" (false emergency reports to harass targets). It applies to anyone committing terrorism within West Virginia, regardless of where the act occurred.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandatory consecutive sentences with no probation and expanded criminalization of protests/riots directly increase penalties and restrict defendant rights, opposing reform-focused criminal justice principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Victims' Rights

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 30, 2026

HB 4988: To impose a life sentence on fentanyl dealers

HB 4988 would impose a life sentence on individuals convicted of knowingly distributing fentanyl, either alone or mixed with other substances. This amendment to West Virginia’s drug law specifically increases penalties for fentanyl trafficking under §60A-4-401(a)(i), replacing standard prison terms with life imprisonment when the dealer knew the substance was fentanyl. It directly affects convicted fentanyl dealers (not users or other drug offenses) who meet the "knowing" threshold. The bill targets fentanyl specifically, as other drug offenses retain lower penalties under the existing code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates life sentence for fentanyl dealers, increasing penalties and opposing sentencing reform by expanding mandatory harsher sentences.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 20, 2026

HB 4566: Increasing penalties for hit and run offenses

HB 4566 increases penalties for drivers who flee the scene of a crash causing injury or death in West Virginia. It raises fines and prison terms based on severity: up to $1,000 or one year in jail for bodily injury, up to $2,500 or three years for serious injury, and up to $5,000 or 20 years for death (with death occurring within one year of the crash). The bill also mandates a one-year license revocation for convicted offenders. It defines "serious bodily injury" as injury creating substantial risk of death, disfigurement, or prolonged health impairment, and names the law "Erin’s Law."

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for hit-and-run offenses, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill language.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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