Virginia · 2025 Regular Session · Bill
HB 847: Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement.
In committee Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
Plain-language summary
HB 847 is a bill introduced in the Virginia House on January 9, 2024. According to its official title, it concerns: Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement. Primary sponsor: Will Davis (Republican). Most recent recorded action (November 18, 2024): Left in Appropriations.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Official summary
Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.
Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life. Provides that in any case in which an indigent defendant is charged with any felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life, the court shall appoint two competent, qualified, and experienced attorneys, one of whom shall be the public defender in a jurisdiction in which a public defender office is established, for the defendant. Under current law, the court is required to appoint two such attorneys in cases in which an indigent defendant is charged with a Class 1 felony. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will Davis | Primary sponsor | Republican | House | 39 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Left in Appropriations
- Continued to 2025 in Appropriations (Voice Vote)
- Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote)
- Referred to Committee on Appropriations
- Reported from Courts of Justice (21-Y 0-N)
- Assigned App. sub: General Government and Capital Outlay
- Subcommittee recommends reporting (8-Y 0-N)
- Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
- Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
- Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24101769D