Bill Text: VA SB285 | 2016 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Bail appeal; presumption against bail.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-01 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0621) [SB285 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-SB285-Engrossed.html
16101987D
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia: 1. That §19.2-124 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows: §19.2-124. Appeal from bail, bond, or recognizance order. A. If a judicial officer denies bail to a person, requires excessive bond, or fixes unreasonable terms of a recognizance under this article, the person may appeal the decision of the judicial officer. If the initial bail decision on a charge brought by a warrant or district court capias is made by a magistrate, clerk, or deputy clerk, the person shall first appeal to the district court in which the case is pending. If the initial bail decision on a charge brought by direct indictment or presentment or circuit court capias is made by a magistrate, clerk, or deputy clerk, the person shall first appeal to the circuit court in which the case is pending. If the appeal of an initial bail decision is taken on any charge originally pending in a district court after that charge has been appealed, certified, or transferred to a circuit court, the person shall first appeal to the circuit court in which the case is pending. Any bail decision made by a judge of a court may be appealed successively by the person to the next higher court, up to and including the Supreme Court of Virginia, where permitted by law. B. The attorney for the Commonwealth may appeal a bail, bond, or recognizance decision to the same court to which the accused person is required to appeal under subsection A. C. No stay under this subsection may be granted after any person who has been granted bail has been released from custody on such bail. D. No filing or service fees shall be assessed or collected for any appeal taken pursuant to this section. |