CHAPTER 404
An Act to amend and reenact §§19.2-124 and 19.2-132 of the
Code of Virginia, relating to appeals from bail, bond, and recognizance
determinations.
[H 291]
Approved April 11, 2010
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§19.2-124 and 19.2-132 of the Code of Virginia are
amended and reenacted as follows:
§19.2-124. Appeal from bail, bond, or recognizance order.
A. If a judicial officer denies bail to a person, requires
excessive bond, or fixes unreasonable terms of a recognizance under this
article, the person may appeal therefrom successively to the next higher
court or judge thereof, up to and including the Supreme Court of Virginia or
any justice thereof where permitted by law the decision of the judicial officer.
If the initial bail decision on a charge brought by a
warrant or district court capias is made by a magistrate, clerk, or deputy
clerk, the person shall first appeal to the district court in which the case is
pending.
If the initial bail decision on a charge brought by direct
indictment or presentment or circuit court capias is made by a magistrate,
clerk, or deputy clerk, the person shall first appeal to the circuit court in
which the case is pending.
If the appeal of an initial bail decision is taken on any
charge originally pending in a district court after that charge has been
appealed, certified, or transferred to a circuit court, the person shall first
appeal to the circuit court in which the case is pending.
Any bail decision made by a judge of a court may be
appealed successively by the person to the next higher court, up to and
including the Supreme Court of Virginia, where permitted by law.
B. If a court grants bail to a person or fixes a term of
recognizance under this article over the objection of the attorney for the
Commonwealth, the The attorney for the Commonwealth may appeal therefrom
successively a bail, bond or recognizance decision to the next
higher same court or judge thereof, up to and including the
Supreme Court of Virginia or any justice thereof to which the accused
person is required to appeal under subsection A.
C. No filing or service fees shall be assessed or collected
for any appeal taken pursuant to this section.
§19.2-132. Motion to increase amount of bond fixed by judicial
officer; when bond may be increased.
A. Although a person has been admitted to bail, if
If the amount of any bond fixed by a judicial officer is
subsequently deemed insufficient, or the security taken inadequate, or if it
appears that bail should have been denied or that the person has violated a
term or condition of his release, or has been convicted of or arrested for a
felony or misdemeanor, the attorney for the Commonwealth of the county or
city in which the person is held for trial may, on reasonable notice to the
person and, if such person has been admitted to bail, to any
surety on the bond of such person, move the court, or the appropriate
judicial officer to increase the amount of such bond or to revoke bail. The
court may, in accordance with subsection B, grant such motion and may
require new or additional sureties therefor, or both or revoke bail. Any surety
in a bond for the appearance of such person may take from his principal
collateral or other security to indemnify such surety against liability. The
failure to notify the surety will not prohibit the court from proceeding with
the bond hearing.
B. Subsequent to an initial appearance before any judicial
officer where the conditions of bail have been determined, no person, after
having been released on a bond, shall be subject to a motion to increase such
bond or revoke bail unless (i) the person has violated a term or condition of
his release, or is convicted of or arrested for a felony or misdemeanor, or
(ii) the attorney for the Commonwealth presents evidence that incorrect or
incomplete information regarding the person's family ties; employment;
financial resources; length of residence in the community; record of
convictions; record of appearance at court proceedings or flight to avoid
prosecution or failure to appear at court proceedings; whether the person is
likely to obstruct or attempt to obstruct justice, or threaten, injure, or
intimidate, or attempt to threaten, injure, or intimidate, a prospective
witness, juror, or victim; or other information relevant to the bond
determination was relied upon by the court or magistrate establishing initial
bond.
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