HB976: Homicides, certain; accessories after the fact.
HOUSE BILL NO. 976
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That § 18.2-19 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§ 18.2-19. How accessories after the fact punished; certain exceptions.
In the case of every
felony, every Every accessory
after the fact shall be is guilty of (i) a Class 6 felony in the case of a
homicide offense that is punishable by death or as
a Class 2 felony or (ii)
a Class 1 misdemeanor; provided, however in the case of any other felony.
However, no person in the relation of husband or wife,
parent or grandparent, child or grandchild, brother or sister, by consanguinity
or affinity, or servant to the offender, who, after the commission of a felony,
shall aid or assist a principal felon or accessory before the fact to avoid or
escape from prosecution or punishment, shall be deemed an accessory after the
fact.
2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 806 of the Acts of Assembly of 2013 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to § 30-19.1:4, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.