Virginia House Bill HB826

Virginia 2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/9/24
• Refer: 1/9/24

Caption

Action of forfeiture; exemptions, court-imposed fine.

Impact

The impact of Bill HB826 on state law revolves around the balance it seeks to achieve between empowering law enforcement to seize property connected to criminal activity and protecting the rights of innocent property owners. With clearer exemptions, the bill is likely to reduce the number of wrongful forfeitures, which often lead to significant legal battles for affected individuals, thereby creating a more just environment for property rights.

Summary

House Bill 826 proposes amendments to §§19.2-386.8 and 19.2-386.10 of the Code of Virginia concerning the forfeiture of property. The bill outlines specific exemptions to property forfeiture that protect property owners and lien holders from losing their interest in the property if they were unaware of the conduct that led to potential forfeiture. This is particularly aimed at ensuring that commons carriers and bona fide purchasers are not unfairly penalized when they have no knowledge of illegal activities related to their property.

Contention

Notable points of contention may arise from different perspectives on property rights versus the needs of law enforcement. Supporters of HB826 argue that the bill is essential for safeguarding citizens' rights and ensuring that property is not confiscated without clear justification or due process. Conversely, opponents may reason that such exemptions could impede law enforcement efforts to effectively combat crime and may lead to challenges in prosecuting offenders connected to the seized assets.