Civil commitment of sexually violent predators; changes including access to sealed records, etc. (HB1843)
Introduced By
Del. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) with support from co-patrons Del. Clay Athey (R-Front Royal), Del. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Woodbridge), Del. Jackson Miller (R-Manassas), Del. Albert Pollard (D-Lively), and Del. Beverly Sherwood (R-Winchester)
Progress
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Introduced |
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Passed Committee |
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Passed House |
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Passed Senate |
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Signed by Governor |
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Became Law |
Description
Civil commitment of sexually violent predators; penalties. Makes a number of changes, including requiring that the court records for certain sexual misdemeanors be retained for 100 years rather than 10 years; allowing access to juvenile court and records of the Department of Juvenile Justice; addressing challenges to filing defects, including defendants under the Commitment Review Committee; removing the requirement that victims of certain crimes must have suffered physical bodily injury in order for certain prisoners to be referred to Commitment Review Committee; allowing access to sealed records; extending from 60 to 90 days the time for a probable cause hearing and allowing the respondent to waive his right to such hearing; setting a standard for the court to find probable cause; allowing hearings to be conducted using two-way electronic video and audio communications systems and telephonic communication for witnesses; and extending from 90 to 120 the number of days after the probable cause hearing for conduct of the trial. View Full Text »
Comments
Mr. Griffith makes the aseresation that a record kept will some how keep me safer. I am not certain how that will happen as I will die long before the records are ever destroyed or removed. Considering that the Commonwealth of Virginia considers 90* of all offenders to be violent, this will just add to the record keeping challenges already faced by a financially strapped government.