VA SB283

Defines "willfully fails to appear" as intentional conduct specifically meant to avoid the 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 affirmative 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, but single prior instances cannot

Applies the same mitigating circumstances standard to contempt proceedings for failure to appear under § 18.2-456

Maintains existing penalties: Class 6 felony for failure to appear on felony charges, Class 1 misdemeanor for failure to appear on misdemeanor charges