summary
Introduced
01/13/2026
01/13/2026
In Committee
02/24/2026
02/24/2026
Crossed Over
02/16/2026
02/16/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Regular Session
Bill Summary
Penalties for failure to appear; contempt. Provides that a court consider certain mitigating factors to determine whether the failure of any person to appear before any court or judicial officer as required was willful. Under current law, no mitigating factors are specified for a court or judicial officer to determine whether a person willfully failed to appear.
AI Summary
This bill modifies existing laws regarding penalties for failing to appear in court, specifically for individuals charged with or convicted of felony or misdemeanor offenses. Instead of facing felony or Class 1 misdemeanor charges for willfully failing to appear, individuals will now be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by no more than 30 days in jail. The bill clarifies that "willfully fails to appear" means intentionally acting to avoid the judicial process, and it outlines several mitigating factors that courts must consider when determining if a nonappearance was willful, such as illness, injury, unforeseen transportation issues, inability to secure dependent care, or taking steps to communicate and remedy the absence. This change aims to reduce the severity of penalties for certain failure-to-appear offenses, while still holding individuals accountable for intentionally evading court proceedings.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice (on 02/24/2026)
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/SB283 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB283) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1145816.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB283/text/SB283S1 |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB283/text/SB283SC1 |
| Fiscal Note/Analysis - Racial and Ethnic Impact Statement From JLARC (1/27/2026 3:08 pm) | https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1098369.PDF |
| BillText | https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/SB283/text/SB283 |
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