SB 157 West Virginia Senate · 2026 Regular Session

Reorganizing several provisions of bail statutes

This bill reorganizes West Virginia's bail statutes to clarify procedures for pretrial release. It mandates release on recognizance (without paying bail) for most misdemeanor defendants unless they face specific offenses like violent misdemeanors, crimes against minors, or drug offenses. Judicial officers must consider factors like the nature of the offense, defendant's criminal history, and ability to pay when setting bail, while setting a maximum cash bail amount for misdemeanors. The bill removes outdated provisions about bail amounts for multiple charges and requires courts to provide specific information for recognizance releases, directly affecting misdemeanor defendants and court proceedings.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 14, 2026 Last action Jan 14, 2026
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Total actions
3
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0
Committee
1
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Jan 14, 2026
Committee
To Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 1 co-sponsor

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