summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Criminal complaint, warrant, summons, etc.; temporary sealing. Provides that (i) any complaint that accompanies any warrant, summons, or capias issued pursuant to relevant law may be temporarily sealed for a specific period of time by the appropriate court upon application of the attorney for the Commonwealth for good cause shown in an ex parte hearing and (ii) any individual arrested on or served with such warrant, summons, or capias may move the appropriate court for the unsealing of such complaint. The bill states that the burden of proof with respect to continued sealing shall be upon the Commonwealth.
AI Summary
This bill allows for the temporary sealing of criminal complaints that accompany arrest warrants, summonses, or capias (a type of arrest warrant) for a specific period. The attorney for the Commonwealth, a prosecutor, can request this sealing from a court in an ex parte hearing, meaning only one side is present, if they show good cause. Individuals who are arrested or served with these documents can then ask the court to unseal the complaint, and the Commonwealth will have the responsibility to prove why it should remain sealed. This provision aims to balance the need for law enforcement to investigate without premature disclosure while ensuring individuals have the right to access information related to their arrest.
Committee Categories
Education, Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Left in Committee Courts of Justice (on 02/18/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB687 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB687) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1107552.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB687/text/HB687 |
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