HB 1865

Abstract

Virginia Access to Justice Act. Establishes a public defender office in each judicial circuit. Currently, public defender offices have been established in certain localities. The bill also establishes an appellate defender office to represent indigent persons in appeals of their convictions to the Court of Appeals of Virginia or Supreme Court of Virginia. The bill raises the limitation of fees that court-appointed counsel can receive for representation on various offenses in district and circuit courts. Further, the bill requires the attorney for the Commonwealth and assistant attorney for the Commonwealth to prosecute Class 1, 2, and 3 misdemeanors, or any other violation, the conviction of which carries a penalty of confinement in jail, or a fine of $500 or more, or both such confinement and fine. Current law allows discretion for prosecuting such misdemeanors and violations. Lastly, the bill expands the definition of "victim" as it relates to compensating victims of crime to include persons awarded restitution pursuant to relevant law.

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 15.2-1627, 15.2-1627.6, 16.1-309.11, 18.2-254.1, 18.2-254.3, 19.2-159, 19.2-160.1, 19.2-163, 19.2-163.01, 19.2-163.04, 19.2-163.3, 19.2-163.4, 19.2-368.2, and 53.1-124 of the Code of Virginia, relating to Virginia Access to Justice Act.