Criminal Justice

vetoed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Apr 2, 2026

HB 4893: Increase the penalties for contempt of court in a magistrate court

HB 4893 increases penalties for contempt of court in West Virginia magistrate courts. It raises maximum fines for contempt: from $50 to $200 for a first offense, $100 to $500 for a second offense, and $100 to $1,000 (or up to 10 days in jail) for a third or subsequent offense related to the same matter. The bill applies directly to individuals disrupting court proceedings, including witnesses, jurors, parties, or officers who commit contempt. These changes take effect for offenses occurring after the bill's passage, with appeals still allowed to circuit court as in criminal cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for contempt of court, expanding criminalization and increasing punitive measures against court disruptions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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failed · West Virginia · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 963: Protecting due process in firearm confiscation

SB 963 requires courts to hold a full adversarial hearing with the respondent present and represented by counsel before issuing a protective order that prohibits firearm possession in domestic violence cases. It mandates that such restrictions can only be imposed if the court finds clear and convincing evidence of an immediate danger (e.g., documented threats or sworn testimony), not as punishment. The bill also requires automatic appeals for respondents within 10 days if firearm restrictions are included in the order. This directly affects individuals facing domestic violence protective orders in West Virginia, changing the process for firearm-related restrictions. The law aims to balance safety concerns with due process by setting higher evidentiary standards before restricting gun access.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires adversarial hearing with counsel before firearm restrictions, strengthening due process protections in criminal domestic violence cases.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Mar 11, 2026

HB 5319: Camping ban on certain public property.

HB 5319 amends West Virginia law to prohibit camping or storing personal property (like tents, sleeping gear, or camp equipment) on specific public property without authorization. It directly affects individuals using state capitol grounds, courthouses, municipal offices, parks, streets, or trails without written permission from the relevant government body. Key provisions define "camp" and "personal property," ban unauthorized use in designated areas, and classify violations as misdemeanors punishable by fines ($25-$100), up to 30 days in jail, or both. Each day of violation counts as a separate offense, and unauthorized structures are deemed public nuisances subject to removal.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new misdemeanor for unauthorized camping, expanding criminalization which opposes criminal justice reform efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 17, 2026

HB 4997: Relating to residency restrictions for persons convicted of terroristic threats

HB 4997 prohibits individuals convicted of terroristic threats involving schools or children (under §61-6-24(b)) from residing within 1,000 feet of any educational facility, including public/private schools, preschools, or daycares where children are regularly present. This residency restriction applies automatically during probation or parole, or as a sentencing condition if no supervision is ordered. Violations are classified as felonies punishable by 1-5 years in prison, up to $10,000 in fines, or both, and may lead to revocation of probation. The bill uses GIS or property records to measure proximity and aligns with existing sex offender residency rules under §62-12-26.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMandates automatic residency restrictions near schools for terroristic threats convicts, classifies violations as felonies with 1-5 year sentences, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 12, 2026

HB 4466: Extend the public intoxication of alcohol code to include being under the impairment of narcotics in public

HB 4466 expands West Virginia's public intoxication law to include impairment from narcotics. It amends §60-6-9 to define "intoxicated" as covering impairment from controlled substances (narcotics), not just alcohol, when appearing in public. This makes it a misdemeanor for individuals to be publicly impaired by narcotics, punishable by fines ($5-$100) or mandatory education programs for first offenses. The law directly affects people appearing in public while impaired by narcotics, with penalties increasing for repeat violations. The change clarifies enforcement standards for law enforcement and judicial officers.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization of public narcotic impairment, increasing misdemeanor charges for non-alcohol intoxication, opposing reform by broadening penalties.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 4468: Relating to confidentiality of court files and law-enforcement records

HB 4468 seeks to repeal Section 61-8B-19 of the West Virginia Code, which currently sets rules for keeping court files and law-enforcement records confidential. This bill would remove the existing legal requirements governing how these records must be handled and protected. It directly affects West Virginia courts and law enforcement agencies, which currently follow these confidentiality rules. The bill does not propose new rules for confidentiality but would eliminate the current statutory framework.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRepealing confidentiality rules weakens privacy protections for court/law enforcement records, reducing oversight in criminal justice operations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · West Virginia · House of Delegates Feb 11, 2026

HB 4179: To create felony charge for individuals who assault police officers or police dogs

HB 4179 creates a new felony charge for individuals who injure or kill animals used by law enforcement or fire officials, such as police dogs or horses. It replaces existing provisions and adds specific penalties for harming these animals, including 3-15 years in prison. The bill also requires restitution for victims, covering veterinary costs and replacement expenses for injured or killed animals. This directly affects anyone who assaults or harms trained animals working with police, fire, or emergency response teams. The law focuses on concrete penalties and financial accountability, not broader policy speculation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony charge for harming police animals, expanding criminalization and increasing penalties per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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