Bill > HR5649

This bill, known as the Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025, creates a mechanism for individuals to sue judges civilly if they can prove that a judge's bond or sentencing decision was made with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence. The bill defines "judicial officers" as including federal and state judges in criminal proceedings, and provides specific definitions for key terms like "intentional disregard for public safety," which means ignoring clear evidence of potential community safety risks. Under the proposed law, a person who was injured as a result of such a judicial decision can file a civil action and potentially receive punitive damages, and the bill specifically removes typical judicial immunity protections. However, the bill includes a crucial safeguard that it cannot be applied to judicial acts taken in good faith or within the normal scope of judicial discretion. The bill's definitions of "bond determination" and "sentencing decision" are broad, covering a wide range of judicial actions including bail orders, release conditions, imprisonment terms, probation, and other criminal sanctions, thereby creating a comprehensive framework for holding judges accountable for decisions that might endanger public safety.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/5649/all-info