Death penalty; restricted for those 18 yrs. or older at time of offense. (HB45)
Introduced By
Del. Vince Callahan (R-McLean) with support from 7 copatrons, whose average partisan position is:
Progress
√ |
Introduced |
√ |
Passed Committee |
√ |
Passed House |
√ |
Passed Senate |
√ |
Signed by Governor |
√ |
Became Law |
Description
Elimination of capital punishment for minors; penalty. Restricts the death penalty to those who are 18 years of age or older at the time of the capital offense. Currently, the age requirement to receive the death penalty is 16 years of age or older at the time of the offense. This change is being made in response to the case of Roper v. Simmons, 543 U.S. 551 (2005), decided March 1, 2005, in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments forbid the execution of offenders who were under the age of 18 at the time of the crime. This bill is identical to SB 362. Amends § 18.2-10 (“Punishment for conviction of felony; penalty.”), of the Code of Virginia. View Full Text »
Status
03/06/2006: signed by governor
View Bill's History
