VirginiaCriminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain range of punishment, etc.
What it does
Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain punishment. Provides that an accused may withdraw a request for a jury to ascertain punishment up until the commencement of the sentencing proceeding. The bill also provides that counsel for either party shall have the right to examine jurors regarding the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, regardless of whether the jury will ascertain punishment and that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential punishment, or range or ranges of punishment, to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the guilt or sentencing phase of the case.
More detail
Current law provides that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential range of punishment to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the sentencing phase of the case.
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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
- Apr 13Governor's recommendation received by HouseLatest
- Mar 31Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026To Governor
- Mar 31Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 31, 2026Minor
- Mar 31Signed by SpeakerMajor
- Mar 31Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- Mar 30Signed by PresidentMajor
- Mar 30Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB172ER)Major
- Mar 30EnrolledMinor
- Mar 12Senate amendments agreed to by House (63-Y 34-N 0-A)Major
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 11Passed Senate with amendments (21-Y 19-N 0-A)Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Passage R. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11Engrossed by Senate as amended
- Mar 11Courts of Justice Amendments agreed toMajor
- Mar 11Read third timeMinor
- Mar 10Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
- Vote recorded Constitutional reading dispensed (on 2nd reading). Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 10Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
- Mar 10Rules suspended
- Mar 9Senate committee offered
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 9Senate committee offered
- Mar 9Reported from Courts of Justice with amendments (9-Y 6-N)Minor
- Feb 16Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- Feb 11Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Feb 11Constitutional reading dispensed (on 1st reading)
- Feb 10Read third time and passed House (63-Y 34-N 0-A)Passed House
- Vote recorded H VOTE:. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 9Engrossed by House - committee substituteMajor
- Feb 9committee substitute agreed toMajor
- Feb 9Read second timeMinor
- Feb 6Read first timeMinor
- Feb 4Committee substitute printed 26106766D-H1Major
- Vote recorded Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 4Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (15-Y 7-N)Minor
- Jan 30Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (7-Y 3-N)Major
- Vote recorded Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 30House subcommittee offered
- Jan 29Assigned HCJ sub: CriminalMinor
- Jan 19Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB172)
- Jan 6Referred to Committee for Courts of JusticeMinor
- Jan 6Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26103279DIntroduced