Criminal Justice

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 866: An act relating to bail and conditions of pretrial release

This bill (H.866) changes Vermont's pretrial release rules by removing current bail limits and expanding mandatory detention requirements. It eliminates the $200 bail cap for certain misdemeanors eligible for sealing, requires courts to hold without bail or set mandatory minimum bail for defendants with multiple missed court appearances, prior convictions (including 3+ misdemeanors in 3 years), or pending charges while on release for other cases. Courts must provide written justification if not holding someone without bail, and law enforcement officers' detention recommendations must be followed in specified situations. The bill directly affects defendants facing misdemeanor or felony charges, particularly those with prior offenses or failure to appear.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill eliminates bail caps and mandates detention for repeat offenders, reducing defendant rights and increasing pretrial detention per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2026

H 872: An act relating to enhancing criminal sentences for violent offenders

H.872 mandates minimum prison sentences for repeat violent offenders in Vermont. It requires a minimum sentence of half the maximum term (up to life) for anyone convicted of a third violent felony - defined as a felony with violence against a person - after two prior such convictions. The bill prohibits suspended sentences, probation, parole, or early release for the first three years of this mandatory term. It also amends sentencing rules to ban suspended sentences for all violent felony convictions, not just repeat offenders. This bill directly affects individuals with multiple violent felony convictions, changing their sentencing outcomes under Vermont law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates minimum sentences for repeat violent offenders and prohibits probation/parole, increasing punitive measures. This aligns with indicators of opposing criminal justice reform by restricting defendant rights and expanding mandatory inca...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2026

H 875: An act relating to the possession and promotion of child sexual abuse materials to include computer-generated images

This bill (H.875) amends Vermont law to criminalize the possession and promotion of computer-generated images that appear indistinguishable from real child sexual abuse material. It specifically targets AI-created images depicting minors engaging in sexual conduct if an ordinary person would believe they show actual children. The law includes limited exceptions for medical, academic, law enforcement, and AI safety testing (e.g., developers testing systems to prevent such content). It explicitly excludes paintings, drawings, and nonvisual descriptions from the ban. The bill directly affects individuals creating, sharing, or possessing such AI-generated images that meet the "indistinguishable" standard.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by criminalizing possession/promotion of AI-generated child sexual abuse images, fitting 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts AI-generated CSAM by criminalizing possession/promotion of images indistinguishable from real child abuse material, directly limiting a specific technology application.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 781: An act relating to filing certain juvenile offenses in the Criminal Division

This bill changes Vermont's juvenile justice process by requiring certain serious offenses committed by juveniles (aged 14-22) to be filed in the Criminal Division of the Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It specifically applies to: (1) violating release conditions for prior serious offenses; (2) using firearms during felonies; (3) drug trafficking; and (4) aggravated stalking. The State’s Attorney may still choose to file such cases as "youthful offender" petitions in the Family Division. This shift aims to handle these specific offenses through criminal court procedures rather than juvenile court, while allowing limited transfer options between divisions under defined conditions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts serious juvenile cases to Criminal Division (more punitive) vs. Family Division (rehabilitative), increasing criminalization for offenses like drug trafficking and firearm use.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 22, 2026

H 754: An act relating to repeat violent offenders, assaults against a protected professional, and victim input on plea agreements

H.754 establishes stricter penalties for repeat violent offenders, requiring a mandatory minimum three-year prison term (with no parole or early release) for a third felony crime of violence conviction. It increases penalties for assaults against protected professionals (including police, firefighters, healthcare workers, and emergency personnel), with second offenses carrying up to 10 years in prison and aggravated assaults up to seven years. The bill also mandates that victims be notified and allowed to speak at plea hearings or sentencing regarding their views on the crime and restitution. These provisions directly affect defendants convicted of violent crimes, protected professionals, and victims in Vermont criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates 3-year mandatory prison terms for repeat violent offenders and increases penalties for assaults on protected professionals, expanding punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Sentencing Victims' Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 683: An act relating to public nudity

This bill prohibits exposing pubic areas, genitals, or buttocks in public places where others can see, with penalties of up to six months in jail or a $500 fine. It directly affects anyone in public spaces, including private property visible to public areas like sidewalks. Key provisions include exceptions for designated changing areas and granting local municipalities authority to create ordinances or issue permits for designated nude areas or events. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes public nudity with jail/fine penalties, expanding criminalization under criminal justice laws without reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 780: An act relating to establishing mandatory minimum sentences of incarceration for retail theft and drug trafficking

H.780 establishes mandatory minimum prison sentences for repeat retail theft and specific drug trafficking offenses. For retail theft, it requires at least six months of consecutive prison time for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $250 value) and 12 months for fourth or subsequent offenses (over $900 value), with no suspension allowed. For drug trafficking (cannabis, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, or methamphetamine), it mandates at least 12 months of consecutive prison time for trafficking offenses, increasing to 24 months if the trafficking causes death or serious injury. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of these specific repeat or serious offenses, removing judicial discretion to reduce the minimum prison time for these cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates mandatory minimums for retail theft/drug trafficking with no judicial discretion, increasing incarceration and opposing reform-focused criminal justice policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Sentencing

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 20, 2026

H 721: An act relating to juvenile proceedings, criminal procedures, and forensic facilities for criminal justice-involved individuals

This bill changes how Vermont handles juvenile criminal cases by moving certain serious offenses to the Criminal Division of Superior Court instead of the Family Division. It applies to juveniles aged 14-22 for specific crimes like firearm use during felony, drug trafficking, or aggravated stalking (as listed in sections 5201(c)(3) and 5204(a)). Key provisions include prohibiting suspended sentences for repeat offenders with prior escape convictions or three felony convictions, requiring written court findings for deferred sentences, and creating a new forensic facility for certain offenders. The bill also repeals "Raise the Age" protections for 19-year-olds and establishes stricter rules for sentencing and case transfers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill moves serious juvenile offenses to criminal court and prohibits suspended sentences for repeat offenders, increasing mandatory sentencing and reducing judicial discretion for specific cases.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 702: An act relating to criminal trespass and residing on land or premises of another person without authority

H.702, the "Vermont Squatter Reform Act," makes it a felony to enter or reside on someone else's property without permission, with enhanced penalties if property damage exceeds $1,000. It also bans presenting fake lease agreements with false material facts for the purpose of occupying property. The bill expands fast-track court procedures for landlords to remove unlawful occupants who entered without authorization, streamlining eviction processes. This directly affects individuals occupying land or premises without legal right and landlords seeking to evict them.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes squatting with felony penalties and fast-track evictions, expanding criminalization rather than advancing reform or protecting rights.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingStrengthens property rights by criminalizing trespass and streamlining evictions for unauthorized occupants, directly addressing a component of housing policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tenant Rights

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 21, 2026

H 741: An act relating to requiring the court to issue an arrest warrant when a criminal defendant fails to appear in court

H 741 requires Vermont courts to issue an arrest warrant instead of a court notice (citation) when a criminal defendant fails to appear at a scheduled hearing after being released on conditions or issued a citation by law enforcement. This applies specifically to defendants who miss court without a valid reason, directly affecting individuals charged with crimes who skip court dates. The bill changes existing procedures by mandating arrest warrants for these failures, prohibiting courts from issuing new citations to appear, and allowing warrantless arrests for related violations like travel restrictions. It aims to streamline enforcement of court attendance obligations under Vermont law.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates arrest warrants for court non-appearance, increasing punitive enforcement over citations, expanding criminalization85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Law Enforcement

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