Bill > SB1333

This bill modifies the legal framework for committing serious juvenile offenders to the Department of Juvenile Justice by expanding judicial discretion and clarifying commitment procedures. Currently, only circuit courts could qualify and commit certain juveniles as serious offenders, but this bill now allows juvenile and domestic relations district courts to do the same, even if the juvenile does not precisely meet existing statutory criteria. When considering commitment, courts must evaluate multiple factors including the juvenile's age, the seriousness of offenses, criminal history, and potential for rehabilitation. The bill requires courts to document their reasoning in writing when committing a juvenile under alternative criteria. Key provisions include allowing commitment for juveniles 14 years and older who have committed felony-level offenses, specifying that commitment cannot exceed seven years or the juvenile's 21st birthday, and mandating periodic reviews of the juvenile's continued commitment. The bill aims to provide courts more flexibility in addressing serious juvenile offenses while ensuring a structured, documented approach to commitment decisions that balances the needs of the juvenile with community safety.

Justice

https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20251/SB1333