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SB 946

Assault and battery; adds officers of Va. Marine Police to definition of law-enforcement officer.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Christie Craig and 1 co-sponsor

Adds Virginia Marine Police officers to the legal definition of law-enforcement officer to ensure assault charges carry enhanced protections and penalties.

Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB926-Stuart) (11-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 946

Legislative bill overview

SB 946 amends Virginia law to explicitly include Virginia Marine Police officers within the legal definition of "law-enforcement officer" for purposes of assault and battery statutes. This technical clarification ensures that attacks on Marine Police officers receive the same legal protections and enhanced penalties as attacks on other state law enforcement personnel.

Why is this important

Marine Police officers perform law enforcement duties on Virginia's waterways but may have faced ambiguity regarding their legal status under assault and battery laws. This bill closes a definitional gap that could affect both officer safety protections and the severity of charges prosecutors can bring against individuals who assault these officers.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope creep concerns: Critics might question whether other enforcement or conservation officers should receive similar clarifications, potentially expanding enhanced assault penalties across multiple agencies
  • Definitional consistency: The bill's necessity itself highlights potential gaps elsewhere in Virginia code where other uniformed officers may lack explicit inclusion in "law-enforcement officer" definitions
  • Prosecutorial discretion: Enhanced penalties for assaulting law enforcement could be viewed as giving prosecutors additional charging leverage, raising concerns about prosecutorial overreach in borderline cases

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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