Criminal Justice (Judges)

The JAIL Act would allow victims or their immediate family members to sue judges or government entities in federal court if a repeat violent offender - defined as someone previously convicted of a violent crime - is released on bail and then harms another person during that release. It removes judicial immunity as a defense in such lawsuits, making judges personally liable for bail decisions that lead to harm. The bill defines "crime of violence" using existing federal law (18 U.S.C. §16) and applies to both federal and state judges. This policy directly affects judges and bail authorities who release repeat violent offenders pending trial.