SB259 Passes.

SB259. Juveniles; Detention of those Transferred or Certified.

The Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center strongly supported this bill, sponsored by Sen. Lucas.

This bill provides that a juvenile whose criminal case has been transferred to circuit court or certified be placed in a juvenile secure facility unless the court determines that he is a threat to the security or safety of the other juveniles detained or the staff of the facility, in which case he may be moved to an adult facility.

SB591. Juveniles; Detention in secure facility for possession of certain firearms.

The House Committee of Courts of Justice Criminal Subcommittee recommended reporting this bill with a unanimous 5-0 vote on Feb. 24th. The full Courts of Justice Committee heard the bill on Feb. 26th.

This bill clarifies that a juvenile may be detained in a secure facility if the juvenile is alleged to have  possessed or transported a handgun or assault weapon. 

SB259. Juveniles; Detention of Those Transferred or Certified.

The House Criminal Subcommittee of the Committee of Courts of Justice recommended reporting from the committee with amendments. The vote was unanimous, with Delegate Robert Bell not voting.

This bill provides that juveniles whose criminal cases have been transferred to circuit court or certified be placed in juvenile detention centers rather than in adult correctional facilities.

SB489. Juvenile court; allows State to appeal a suppression ruling to circuit court and Court of Appeals.

This bill will be discussed at the Senate Courts of Justice Committee Monday, Feb. 1st. The hearing will be in Senate Room A at 9 a.m.

The Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center opposes this bill.

The docket for the committee meeting can be viewed here.

Liveblog: Senate Criminal Subcommittee

The Senate Courts of Justice, Criminal Subcommittee, is currently considering a number of juvenile-related bills.

• SB 259, pertaining to the detention of transferred juveniles in adult facilities, is reported.
• SB 585, providing counsel to juveniles, is amended to conform more closely with the adult statute, 53.1-40.  It is then reported.
• SB 587, retaining the Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court’s jurisdiction over juveniles in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice, is struck, at the motion of Sen. Marsden.
• SB 205, reverse waiver, is currently under consideration. has been tabled until at least Monday’s meeting.

More updates to come as bills are considered.

UPDATE 9:25am:  The committee has finished its consideration of juvenile bills for the day.

SB259. Juveniles; Detention of Those Transferred or Certified.

SB259. Juveniles; Detention of Those Transferred or Certified.

This bill amends §§ 16.1-249, 16.1-269.5, and 16.1-296.6 of the Code of Virginia requiring that a juvenile who has been transferred will be placed in a juvenile facility. This will occur unless, in the judgment of a custodian at the juvenile facility, the juvenile has demonstrated a threat to the safety of others in the facility. The charges filed against the juvenile are not considered a demonstrated threat to other juveniles at the facility.

The bill also requires a court to consider the limitations set forth in sections D and E of §16.1-249 when placing a juvenile in a local correctional facility.

This bill removes language in section B of §16.1-269.6 that previously allowed a juvenile to be placed in a local correctional facility immediately upon transfer, with only consideration of section E of §16.1-249. Removing this language makes the requirements of the previous amendments requiring placement of transferred juveniles in juvenile facilities clearly apply.

Patron: Lucas

Committee: Courts of Justice

Sub-committee: Criminal

Full Text

SB 579: Juvenile Placement

SB 579 has been offered, changing the way juveniles are detained.  Under the provisions of the bill, a juvenile who is detained in a secure facility may, if their custodian deems appropriate, be moved to a less restrictive location.  This discretion would be superseded by court orders specifically prohibiting transfers.

Committee: Courts of Justice
Subcommittee: Criminal

Patron: Sen. Marsden

Full Text