Relating to pretrial release

HB 2216 clarifies and revises West Virginia's pretrial release rules to expand access to release without cash bail for most misdemeanor defendants. It requires judicial officers to release defendants on their own recognizance (without requiring money or property) for most misdemeanor charges - unless the offense involves violence, threats against minors, weapons, drug violations, sexual abuse, serious traffic offenses, or property crimes exceeding $250 in value. The bill prohibits "cash only" or "property only" bail, mandates that personal recognizance bonds include an unsecured monetary amount, and requires judges to set the least restrictive conditions necessary to ensure court appearance and public safety. This directly affects all individuals charged with criminal offenses in West Virginia who appear before a judicial officer for pretrial release decisions.