SB 999

Abstract

Appeals; procedure on appeal.  Provides an appellate court with discretion in assessing attorney fees, costs, and necessary expenses against an indigent defendant when the conviction of the defendant is upheld on appeal. Under current law, the appellate court must assess such fees, costs, and expenses against an indigent defendant when the conviction of the defendant is upheld on appeal.Finally, the bill also provides that a panel of the Court of Appeals may dispense with oral argument if such panel unanimously decides that such oral argument is unnecessary because the facts and legal arguments are adequately presented in the briefs and the record such that the decisional process would not be significantly aided by oral argument and provides that this provision shall expire on June 30, 2027, unless reenacted by the 2027 Session of the General Assembly.

An Act to amend and reenact §§ 17.1-403 and 19.2-326 of the Code of Virginia, relating to appeals; procedure on appeal.