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2020 SPECIAL SESSION I

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SB 5033 Court authority in criminal cases; prosecutorial discretion to dispose of a criminal case.

Introduced by: Scott A. Surovell | all patrons    ...    notes | add to my profiles | history

SUMMARY AS PASSED:

Court authority in criminal cases; prosecutorial discretion to dispose of a criminal case. Requires a court to grant a motion to dismiss made by the Commonwealth, whether with or without prejudice, and with the consent of the defendant unless the court finds by clear and convincing evidence that the motion was made as the result of (i) bribery or (ii) bias or prejudice toward a victim because of the race, religious conviction, gender, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, color, or national origin of the victim.

The bill provides that, upon the agreement of the Commonwealth and the defendant, a trial court may defer proceedings; defer entry of a conviction order, if none, or defer entry of a final order; and continue the case for final disposition, on such reasonable terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties.

SUMMARY AS PASSED SENATE:

Court authority in criminal cases; prosecutorial discretion to dispose of a criminal case. Provides that, upon the agreement of the Commonwealth and the defendant, a trial court may defer proceedings; defer entry of a conviction order, if none, or defer entry of a final order; and continue the case for final disposition, on such reasonable terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties. The bill provide that "good cause" includes that (i) the particular circumstances relating to the facts of the case, (ii) the general deterrence value of prosecuting a case, or (iii) the limits on agency resources or competing prosecutorial priorities make such case unprosecutable or not in the interests of the Commonwealth to prosecute such case at such time.

SUMMARY AS INTRODUCED:

Court authority in criminal cases; prosecutorial discretion to dispose of a criminal case. Provides that, upon the agreement of the Commonwealth and the defendant, a trial court may defer proceedings; defer entry of a conviction order, if none, or defer entry of a final order; and continue the case for final disposition, on such reasonable terms and conditions as may be agreed upon by the parties. The bill also defines "good cause" for purposes of a nolle prosequi for the prosecutorial disposal of a criminal case.