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VA HB933
Bill
Status
Enrolled
3/2/2026
Primary Sponsor
Marcus Simon
Click for details
AI Summary
- Defines "willfully fails to appear" as intentional conduct for the purpose of avoiding judicial process, clarifying that isolated instances of nonappearance are not evidence of willfulness
- Requires courts to consider mitigating circumstances when determining willful failure to appear, including illness, injury, transportation problems, inability to obtain dependent care, and steps taken to remedy the absence
- Establishes that a prior pattern of recurrent and purposeful conduct to evade prosecution may be considered when assessing willfulness
- Maintains existing penalties: Class 6 felony for willful failure to appear on felony charges, Class 1 misdemeanor for misdemeanor charges
- Amends both § 18.2-456 (contempt) and § 19.2-128 (failure to appear penalties) to apply consistent standards for evaluating willfulness
Legislative Description
Penalties for failure to appear; definition, contempt.
Last Action
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB933)
3/11/2026
Committee Referrals
Courts of Justice2/11/2026
Courts of Justice: Criminal1/23/2026
Courts of Justice1/13/2026
Full Bill Text
No bill text available