VirginiaAssault causing serious injury would carry a felony penalty
The proposal would make assault and battery causing serious bodily injury a Class 6 felony when the conduct does not amount to unlawful or malicious wounding.
What it does
A person who commits assault and battery causing serious bodily injury would face a Class 6 felony, unless the conduct amounts to unlawful or malicious wounding.
Argument forA felony penalty could reflect the seriousness of major injuries when assault and battery causes serious harm short of unlawful or malicious wounding.
Argument againstA felony conviction could bring lasting consequences for someone whose assault caused serious injury, even when the conduct did not amount to unlawful or malicious wounding.
More detail
A person who commits assault and battery causing serious bodily injury would be guilty of a Class 6 felony. The injury must meet the definition of serious bodily injury in § 18.2-51.4. This applies only when the conduct does not amount to unlawful or malicious wounding under § 18.2-51.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jul 21Continued from last sessionLatest
- Feb 13Continued to next session in Courts of Justice (Voice Vote)
- Feb 11Subcommittee recommends continuing to (Voice Vote)
- Feb 10Assigned HCJ sub: CriminalMinor
- Jan 14Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB251)
- Jan 9Fiscal Impact statement From VCSC (1/9/2026 11:01 am)
- Jan 8Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 8Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26102460DIntroduced
Criminal JusticePublic Safety