State of Virginia Archives: on Crime
Bob McDonnell:
Tough statutes and sentences; but also re-entry programs
Public safety is the silent partner in job creation. Jobs won't be created and businesses won't be started if our citizens don't first feel safe and secure. I believe in, and we have, tough statutes and sentences for those who break our laws and
endanger our citizens and communities. As a result, our crime rates are down. However, our recidivism rate is still too high. Reduction in recidivism means fewer victims, and less prison costs. America is a nation of second chances and those leaving
prison should have the opportunity to change.
We are implementing sweeping new prisoner re-entry programs throughout our correctional system through the leadership of our first statewide prisoner re-entry coordinator and our new Director of the
Department of Corrections. And I am pleased to say that since taking office we have implemented the fastest and fairest system for the restoration of civil rights in modern Virginia history.
Source: 2011 Virginia State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2011
Bob McDonnell:
Tough punishment and no parole works
Tough punishment and no parole works
Our communities continue to get safer. Our violent crime rate is now lower than any time since the early 1960's, the lowest in the South and the 5th lowest in the nation. Our property crime rate is the lowest in the South and the 8th lowest nationally.
Tough punishment and no parole works
drunk driving and internet crime. Last year we quietly passed the most significant reforms in over a decade to punish repeat drug dealers and child sex offenders.Second, we've dramatically improved our prisoner re-entry system.
Source: 2013 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 9, 2013
Robert Sarvis:
Reverse the militarization of law-enforcement tactics
I am committed to restoring and protecting civil liberties. As Governor, I will:- Protect freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly.
- Reverse the militarization of law-enforcement tactics.
- Reform asset-forfeiture laws.
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Restore Fourth Amendment rights against unreasonable searches and seizures.
- Restore voting and gun rights for those convicted of non-violent drug offenses.
- Fight against federal overreach and government spying programs.
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Restrict law-enforcement use of general surveillance technologies.
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Protect internet freedom.
- I believe an important part of restoring civil liberties is ending the drug war.
Source: Virginia Governor 2013 campaign website, robertsarvis.com
Sep 21, 2013
Robert Sarvis:
Capital punishment should be legal but rare
Q: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?A: Yes; capital punishment should be legal but rare. We should take seriously credible claims of innocence and allow for reasonable requests for potentially exonerating DNA tests,
but also work to reduce the misuse of criminal justice resources and streamline the appeals process.
I also recommend considering ways to ensure quality representation in death penalty cases and disincentivize requests for the death penalty, e.g., by providing additional funding for the defense
(in cases of public-defender or court-appointed defense counsel) when the prosecution seeks the death penalty.
Source: Virginia State Legislative 2011 PVS Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2011
Terry McAuliffe:
Restore voting rights to former offenders
Virginians like James Ray, a Vietnam veteran who returned from war a changed man. James made mistakes, but he did his time and he reformed his life. He deserved a second chance to be a productive member of society.
I have made restoration of civil and voting rights of former offenders a central focus of my administration, and I'm proud to say that in just one year, we restored the rights of more than 5,200 former offenders.
Source: State of the State address to 2015 Virginia Legislature
Jan 14, 2015
Terry McAuliffe:
Second chance for youthful offenders
A guiding principle that has served this administration well is the incredible importance of second chances. I believe that should apply to everyone, even men and women who commit a crime. That approach guided the transformation of our Commonwealth's
juvenile justice system as we reduced the population by nearly 2/3 and began to close our two huge adult-style youth prisons. [Let's] advance the reforms that will prepare these young people to lead more productive lives, while saving taxpayers millions.
Source: 2018 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 10, 2018
Tom Perriello:
Replace school-to-prison pipeline with school-to-workforce
Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam became the first gubernatorial candidate to publicly announce his support for decriminalizing marijuana. While Northam was the first candidate to support decriminalization, he's not the only one who wants to open up the
state's marijuana laws. Tom Perriello's spokesman said that Perriello also would support decriminalizing marijuana. "Yes, of course. And as he has said consistently during his campaign, we have to fix our broken criminal justice system and re-engineer
the school to prison pipeline into a school to workforce pipeline. This includes reforming our outdated and often racially biased drug laws," the spokesman said.Former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie's campaign said in
a statement that while Gillespie opposes marijuana legalization or decriminalization, "he does support exploring reforms to make sure that penalties align appropriately to the offense committed."
Source: Virginian-Pilot on 2017 Virginia gubernatorial race
Feb 18, 2017
Tim Kaine:
Don't re-traumatize sex crime victims during investigation
We cannot prevent all crime. So, we must always look for ways to comfort crime victims. This year, we can make significant changes to how we treat victims of sexual assault.The physical and emotional trauma suffered by victims of sexual violence,
often compounded by silence and stigma surrounding the crime, calls for special attention. It is imperative that victims are not re-traumatized as a crime is investigated.
We have the opportunity this session to do what is right in this area. If we can prohibit involuntary polygraph testing of victims, pay for the collection of evidence used to prosecute attackers, repeal antiquated laws that
provide safe harbor for offenders, and give adequate support to community crisis centers, we will have gone a long way towards setting the system right.
Source: 2007 State of the State address to Virginia Assembly
Jan 9, 2008
Donald McEachin:
Correct outdated discriminatory over-incarceration policies
We must confront and correct outdated thinking, discriminatory policies, and the harms that they produce. In Congress, Donald will:- seek to reform our criminal justice system, ending self-defeating policies that promote over-incarceration and
create a school-to-prison pipeline
- work to correct biases and disparities in policing and sentencing, both by changing unfair laws and by funding priorities like greater oversight, increased training, and body cameras for local law enforcement
Source: 2016 Virginia House campaign website DonaldMcEachin.com
Nov 8, 2016
Terry McAuliffe:
Lowest adult recidivism rate in America
I am particularly proud of the work we have done on cyber security. This is a critical issue for Virginia. Last year, we experienced more than 70 million cyber-attacks, or one every 4 seconds. We have a responsibility to
protect our data from cyber criminals and to realize the economic opportunity this industry presents. We made Virginia safer by reforming our juvenile justice system, and posting the lowest adult recidivism rate in America.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Virginia Legislature
Jan 11, 2017
Ralph Northam:
Raise threshold for felony larceny; 2nd chance after mistake
On the first day of this session, Governor McAuliffe spoke to you about the importance of second chances in our criminal justice system. I was proud to stand beside him as he made history by restoring more civil rights to former offenders than any
governor in American history. My team and I will continue that policy over the next four years so that men and women who make mistakes and serve their time can reenter society as full partners in our democracy, not second-class citizens.
We should also work together this session to join the rest of the nation and raise the threshold for felony larceny. Virginia's threshold has not changed since 1980. It is the lowest in America.
There is no excuse for the criminal act of theft, but a teenager who steals one used iPhone or a pair of boots should not have her entire life defined by that one mistake.
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Virginia legislature
Jan 16, 2018
Ralph Northam:
Release unthreatening older or terminally offenders
Criminal justice reform includes reforming parole. If offenders are older, or terminally ill, and they've paid their debt to society, and they're no longer a threat--what's the benefit in keeping them from being eligible for parole? This is about simple
justice and fairness. When you've paid your debt, we should welcome you back, encourage you to participate in civil society, and restore your right to vote. The data show that, and it's just the right thing to do.
Source: 2020 Virginia State of the State address
Jan 8, 2020
Mark Herring:
More resources for public safety and law enforcement
Attorney General Mark R. Herring is working every day to promote safe, successful communities in every corner of the Commonwealth. He has forged strong relationships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, and has made
additional public safety and law enforcement tools and resources available to Virginia communities.Attorney General Herring is leading a transformation in the way Virginia works to prevent and respond to sexual and domestic violence.
He is leading a $3.4 million project to completely eliminate Virginia's backlog of more than 2,000 untested rape kits. He chaired Gov. Terry McAuliffe's Task Force on Combating Campus Sexual Violence, which helped make
Virginia a national leader on the issue. He has helped implement Lethality Assessment Protocol, an innovative tool to prevent domestic violence and homicide, in dozens of communities around the Commonwealth.
Source: 2020-21 Virginia Governor campaign website HerringForAG.com
Nov 1, 2017
Ralph Northam:
It's time to end the death penalty in Virginia
Most countries in the world have turned away from capital punishment. There are a lot of reasons. It doesn't work as a deterrent. It's expensive. And the drug companies refuse to supply the lethal chemicals. There's another important reason:
What if the system gets it wrong? It's time to change the law and end the death penalty in Virginia.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 13, 2021
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Prohibit police using chokeholds; address bail reform
As a Delegate, I:- Sponsored legislation to address cash bail reform, the ban on parole, and the issue of "driving poor"--all of which contribute to mass incarceration and cyclical patterns of joblessness and poverty within minority communities
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Sponsored a bill prohibiting the use of neck restraints, such as chokeholds, by law enforcement.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign site JenniferCarrollFoy.com
Feb 21, 2021
Jennifer McClellan:
System focuses on punishment rather than rehabilitation
Virginia and the nation must reform a criminal justice system that too often disproportionately impacts communities of color, focuses more on punishment and incarceration than prevention and rehabilitation, and doles out punishments that
are disproportionate to crimes. Virginia must also provide transparency and accountability for police misconduct and civilian oversight of law enforcement and criminal justice.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website JennMcClellanVA.com
Feb 18, 2021
Kirk Cox:
Invest $50 million for law enforcement salaries
[Police policy]:- Invest $50 million in the first year of a Cox administration for law enforcement salaries
- Prioritize the implementation of the State Police Pay Plan
- Eliminate salary compression for veteran law enforcement officers
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Raise Base Pay for Troopers and Sheriff's Deputies
- Convene a Leadership Group representing various law enforcement groups within the first 100 days to plan the $50 million commitment and address structural salary issues plaguing law enforcement.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website KirkCox.com
Feb 19, 2021
Terry McAuliffe:
Shift from military-style equipment to support services
For too long, Virginia has embraced a "tough on crime" approach to criminal justice that has focused on punishment rather than rehabilitation. Terry will deliver the criminal justice reforms necessary to create an equitable criminal justice system,
one that is focused on second chances. He will invest resources in education, housing, and behavioral health services, shifting resources away from military-style tactics and equipment.He will invest in key areas to professionalize law enforcement
agencies and improve accountability--through training and accreditation, community policing, and increased community engagement. He will examine areas including pretrial incarceration, investing in prevention and re-entry services, making sure that
addiction is treated like the health crisis it is, and breaking down barriers that prevent individuals with criminal records from being productive members of our society.
Source: 2021 Virginia governor campaign website Terry McAuliffe.com
Dec 22, 2020
Glenn Youngkin:
Return respect to those who wear the uniform
We will comprehensively fund higher salaries, better training, investments in equipment. We will protect qualified immunity for law enforcement. We will invest in community policing programs to build trust between law enforcement
and the communities they serve and protect.We will return respect to the men and women who wear the uniform all law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and first responders who take an oath to keep us all safe.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 15, 2022
Glenn Youngkin:
Tougher penalties for those who commit crimes with guns
Because of soft on crime policies from previous administrations, the record murder rates of 2020 persist across the commonwealth, virtually every law enforcement agency has 20% or greater staffing vacancies. The extensive work of our Violent Crime Task
Force, working with city leaders, heard clearly--we need more police on the street, more prosecutors to put criminals behind bars, tougher penalties for those who commit crimes with guns and more support for witnesses and community prevention.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Virginia legislature
Jan 11, 2023
Bob McDonnell:
Allow use of drones for law enforcement
On January 9, 2013, Ben Cline introduced HB 2012 in the Virginia House of Representatives, a bill which limited state and local law enforcement agencies' use of unmanned drone aircraft. Cline's bill banned all use of drones by state and local
agencies except for Amber Alerts and search and rescue operations until May 1, 2015. HB 2012 became the first bill of its kind nationwide to be passed when the General Assembly approved it 83-16 on February 5, 2013.
The Senate bill, Senator Donald McEachin's SB 1331, also passed on February 5. Governor Bob McDonnell (R) proposed amendments to the moratorium that would create more openings for law enforcement use and industry research and production.
The bill passed with McDonnell's amendments.
Source: Ballotpedia.org: Virginia legislative voting record HB 2012
Jan 1, 2018
Daniel Gade:
For police oversight, criminal justice reform
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Daniel Gade: Yes on oversight. Says he cares about criminal justice reform "passionately," with many "in jail who don't need to be." Says police unions may protect "bad apples."
Mark Warner: Yes. Co-sponsored Justice in Policing Act "to hold law enforcement accountable, improve transparency, and reform police training and policies."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 Virginia Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Mark Warner:
Co-sponsored Justice in Policing Act
Q: Restrict police use of force and increase public oversight?Mark Warner: Yes. Co-sponsored Justice in Policing Act "to hold law enforcement accountable ., improve transparency ., and reform police training and policies."
Daniel Gade: Yes on oversight. Says he cares about criminal justice reform "passionately," with many "in jail who don't need to be." Says police unions may protect "bad apples."
Source: CampusElect survey of 2020 Virginia Senate race
Sep 30, 2020
Tim Kaine:
Systemic racial inequities in the criminal justice system
Q: You say that "equality as a nation... is the very foundation of what we are." Does that extend to the criminal justice system? Your Democratic colleague Elizabeth Warren says it`s 100 percent racist front to back.KAINE: There are deep, deep
challenges.
Q: You agree with her?
KAINE: There are systemic racial inequities in the criminal justice system, absolutely. So, when I`m saying we have this policy [of "equality as a nation"], we`re not living it perfectly in any sphere.
Criminal justice, I think, would be one where there are significant problems. Look at the disproportionate incarceration rates. Now, to say the entire system is racist--hey,
I know fantastic law enforcement professionals, judges, prosecutors who are doing their best every day to reduce inequality. But if you just look at the results, the outcome, who is incarcerated?
Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2018 Virginia Senate race
Aug 12, 2018
Terry McAuliffe:
Grant 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote
Virginia is granting more than 200,000 convicted felons the right to vote in the November elections, part of a large-scale effort Gov. McAuliffe says is intended to reverse the state's long history of suppressing the voting rights of African-Americans.
The move expands voting rights to every Virginia felon who has completed their sentences and any supervised release, parole, or probation. It will also allow ex-offenders to run for public office, to serve on a jury, and to become a notary public.
The denial of rights has a particularly bitter history in Virginia, which is seen as a crucial swing state, the governor says: "Too often in both our distant and recent history, politicians have used their authority to restrict people's ability to
participate in our democracy," he said. "Today we are reversing that disturbing trend." In Virginia, 1 in 5 African-Americans is disenfranchised, according to the Sentencing Project.
Source: Christian Science Monitor on 2017 Virginia governor race
Apr 22, 2016
Pete Snyder:
During mob violence, governor focused on criminal rights
This summer Richmond was ravaged by mobs, destroying small businesses. What did the governor do? He called a special session, not to figure
out how do we get schools open, not preparing for a vaccine to make sure we can distribute it, but to focus on restoring the rights of criminals.
Source: Fairfax City Patch on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
May 5, 2021
Corey Stewart:
Stricter punishment for violent crimes
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Stricter punishment reduces crime"?
A: Oppose for minor drug crimes. Support for violent crimes.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Virginia Senate candidate
May 18, 2018
Amanda Chase:
We've never fully funded our law enforcement
Recently, defunding the police has been a major talking point in the state and across the country. Chase believes that it's a terrible policy to push. "We need to defend our police, not defund our police," she said. "I've said we've never fully funded
our law enforcement. I do believe law enforcement is a core function of government. We need to keep our communities safe; we need to keep our businesses safe and our schools safe.
Source: Smith Mountain Eagle on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Nov 25, 2020
Lee Carter:
Rethink what policing means, reduce size of police
Carter, a self-described socialist, said his stance on policing sets him apart in a party that boosted police budgets and passed reform bills with so many exceptions "they might as well be made out of swiss cheese." "We have got to rethink
what policing means in this Commonwealth," Carter said. "We've got to reduce the size of the police in this Commonwealth to what makes sense to have them doing. And nothing more."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Terry McAuliffe:
I'd like to see every police officer have a body camera
McAuliffe said he supports accountability and transparency but believes in "working with the police" to ensure they have proper training. "I happen to be a full supporter of body cams. I'd like to see every police officer actually have a body camera so
that we can all actually see what's going on," McAuliffe said. "Thank goodness we had all of those individuals there that had those cellphones when George Floyd was murdered."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Terry McAuliffe:
We have racist criminal justice system
McAuliffe said. "I'm about getting people parole. When I was governor I had to replace the entire Parole Board because they didn't believe in doing it.
I leaned in hard on these issues. Because we have a racist criminal justice system."
Source: Virginia Mercury on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial debate
Apr 6, 2021
Mark Herring:
Reform cash bail; more diversity in judiciary
In the upcoming legislative session, I will be pushing for needed reforms in the following areas:Cash bail reform: The cash bail system can lead to bizarre outcomes where dangerous people with money can go free while nonviolent people sit in jail
for days, weeks or months because they can't afford to pay bail. This can cause a person to lose their job, housing and support systems. Virginia should move away from the use of cash bail as its default for low level offenses and instead expand
pretrial services that have proven to be effective and cheaper.
Building a more inclusive, diverse judiciary: Unfortunately, Virginia's diversity is not reflected in its judiciary. While Virginia's population is about 20% African American,
10% Hispanic/Latino and 7% Asian, only an extremely small percentage of Circuit and District Court judges are minorities. As Democrats take the lead on judicial selection, consideration must be given to inclusion, diversity, and representation.
Source: Virginian-Pilot opEd for 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
Nov 17, 2019
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Reform our broken criminal justice system; ban chokeholds
As the first public defender elected to the legislature, I'm proud to have championed many of the efforts to ensure racial equity and reform our broken criminal justice system, from the legalization of marijuana to my bill to ban chokeholds.
While politicians of the past refused to repeal the death penalty and gave passes to bad police, I'll prioritize ending the underlying inequities that contribute to the two-tier criminal justice system that exists in the Commonwealth.
Source: Woodbridge Patch on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
May 18, 2018
Glenn Youngkin:
Rejects "defund the police"; for qualified immunity
Youngkin threw his support behind a number of hot-button issues. He staged himself as fierce defender of the second amendment and pledged to restore voter identification laws. He also supported school choice, pledged to ban critical race theory
from public education and denounced efforts to reform math instruction. Youngkin rejected calls to "defund the police" and end qualified immunity--the legal defense that makes it more difficult to sue law enforcement for civil rights violations.
Source: WRIC ABC-8 News on 2021 Virginia Gubernatorial race
May 11, 2021
Amanda Chase:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the
capital murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of
their back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; State Sen. Amanda Chase co-sponsored and voted YES; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Feb 4, 2019
Creigh Deeds:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the
capital murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of
their back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; State Sen. Creigh Deeds voted YES; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Feb 4, 2019
Jennifer Carroll Foy:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the
capital murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of
their back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; State Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy voted YES; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Feb 20, 2019
Jennifer McClellan:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the capital
murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of their
back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; State Sen. Jennifer McClellan voted YES; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Feb 4, 2019
Nick Freitas:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the
capital murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of
their back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; State Del. Nick Freitas voted YES; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Feb 20, 2019
Ralph Northam:
Capital crime for murder of law enforcement officers
SB 1501: Capital murder; punishment if against law-enforcement officers and fire marshals [OnTheIssues note: Virginia conducted 113 executions since the Supreme Court ruling in 1976, the second most in the country, behind only Texas. SB 1501 intended to
apply the death penalty for cop killers. Virginia's last execution was in 2017; it was formally abolished in 2021.]Analysis by WTVR 6-News 2/18/19: Senate Bill 1501 would make the mandatory minimum sentence for those convicted of the
capital murder of a law enforcement officer life in prison. "If you're going to attack our law enforcement officers you're going to spend the rest of your life in prison or you're going to die and I think that helps us kind of take that target off of
their back," said Sen. Bill Carrico.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 35-5-0 on Feb/4/19; Passed House 93-5-2 on Feb/20/19; Signed by Governor Ralph Northam on Mar/21/19
Source: WTVR 6-News on Virginia Legislative voting records SB1501
Mar 21, 2019
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026