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VA HB981

Bill

Official Source

Status

Introduced

1/13/2026

Primary Sponsor

Thomas Garrett

Click for details

Origin

House of Delegates

2026 Regular Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Allows defendants in dismissed criminal cases to recover reasonable costs and attorney fees when prosecutorial misconduct or abuse of process occurred
  • Covers misconduct including charges filed with knowing lack of probable cause or with malicious intent
  • Applies to both defendants with court-appointed attorneys and those who retained private counsel
  • Adds new section 17.1-626.2 to the Code of Virginia

Legislative Description

Criminal cases; prosecutorial misconduct, reasonable costs and attorney fees.

Last Action

Left in Committee Courts of Justice

2/18/2026

Committee Referrals

Education2/18/2026
Courts of Justice2/18/2026
Courts of Justice: Civil1/29/2026
Courts of Justice1/13/2026

Full Bill Text

No bill text available