summary
Introduced
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
In Committee
01/15/2026
01/15/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The purpose of this bill is to change certain offenses and penalties therefor for certain persons who are accessories to a crime. The bill provides that a domestic partner to a felony offender may not be considered an accessory after the fact; removes prohibition that a servant of a felony offender may not be considered an accessory after the fact; providing that an accessory to a felony who is the brother or sister, parent or grandparent, or child or grandchild of the principal offender is guilty of a misdemeanor; providing that an accessory to a misdemeanor is a misdemeanor.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing West Virginia law concerning accessories to crimes, which are individuals who help a criminal avoid capture or punishment after a crime has been committed. Specifically, it clarifies that a domestic partner of someone who committed a felony will no longer be considered an accessory after the fact, and it removes a previous prohibition against servants being considered accessories. The bill also establishes that if a brother, sister, parent, grandparent, child, or grandchild of a principal offender (the person who committed the main crime) acts as an accessory to a felony, they will be guilty of a misdemeanor, a less serious offense than a felony. Furthermore, it states that anyone who is an accessory to a misdemeanor will also be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
To House Judiciary (on 01/15/2026)
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/Bills_history.cfm?input=4365&year=2026&sessiontype=RS&btype=bill |
| BillText | http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=hb4365%20intr.htm&yr=2026&sesstype=RS&i=4365 |
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