This weekend, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that defendants who are charged with violent crimes have used a new law to get out of jail before trial without having to post a bond.
In one instance, Chesterfield police had been looking for the defendant since 2009 for a sex offense charge against a child. However, after he was arrested, he was released without having to post bond. Within 60 days, in just one county, magistrates released (without bond) six charged with assaulting police officers, five charged with malicious wounding, two charged with abduction, and one charged with robbery. You can read the whole article, here.
The new law that eliminated presumptions against bond (in violent crimes) was passed by Democratic legislators in 2021. Republicans predicted exactly what is now happening. You can see my comments here and then-Delegate Jason Miyares here.
This spring, Republicans pushed legislation to undo this change, but the bill was killed by the Democratic Senators in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
To protect the public and their victims, some defendants need to beheld pretrial, but this is not happening. We need a change -- please support candidates who are committed to law enforcement and public safety.
Sincerely,
Delegate Rob Bell
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