Mandatory minimum punishments; repeals Code section that defines 'mandatory minimum.' (SB130)
Introduced By
Progress
✓ |
Introduced |
✗ |
Passed Committee |
☐ |
Passed House |
☐ |
Passed Senate |
☐ |
Signed by Governor |
☐ |
Became Law |
Description
Mandatory minimum punishments. Repeals the Code section that defines "mandatory minimum" for purposes of imposing punishment upon a person convicted of a crime as the entire term of confinement, the full amount of the fine, and the complete requirement of community service provided by law and that prohibits the court from suspending any part of the punishment. Read the Bill »
Outcome
Bill Has Failed
History
| Date | Action |
|---|---|
| 12/29/2015 | Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/13/16 16101728D |
| 12/29/2015 | Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice |
| 01/18/2016 | Impact statement from DPB (SB130) |
| 01/18/2016 | Passed by indefinitely in Courts of Justice (12-Y 2-N) (see vote tally) |
Comments
The ACLU of Virginia supports this bill. Among other things, mandatory minimum sentences: increase the effects of existing racial disparities in the criminal justice system, strip judges of the ability to make the sentence fit the crime, empower prosecutors to push defendants into bargaining away their constitutional rights, and unnecessarily increase the prison population. The ACLU of Virginia supports legislation that would repeal mandatory minimum sentences.