Signed by Governor Ralph Northam

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments and pass a bill that amends court authority to authorize prosecutorial discretion to dispose of criminal cases.

Highlights:

• Requires a court, upon motion of the state to dismiss a charge and with the consent of the defendant, to grant the motion unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the motion was made as the result of bribery, bias or prejudice toward a victim because of the race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin of the victim (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that amends court authority to authorize prosecutorial discretion to dispose of criminal cases.

Highlights:

• Requires a court, upon motion of the state to dismiss a charge and with the consent of the defendant, to grant the motion unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the motion was made as the result of bribery, bias or prejudice toward a victim because of the race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin of the victim (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text