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Bill

SB 442

Court Date Reminder Program; established.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lamont Bagby

Virginia establishes automated court date reminder system to reduce no-shows and keep defendants informed of hearing schedules.

Incorporated by Courts of Justice (SB475-Marsden) (15-Y 0-N)
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Bill Summary · SB 442

Legislative bill overview

SB 442 establishes a court date reminder program in Virginia that would notify defendants or parties of their upcoming court dates through automated communications. The bill aims to reduce failure-to-appear rates by ensuring individuals receive timely notifications about when they need to be in court.

Why is this important

Court no-shows are a significant problem in the justice system, resulting in bench warrants, additional charges, and increased enforcement costs. By implementing a reminder system, Virginia could improve court attendance, reduce the backlog created by missed appearances, and potentially lower the number of people who become entangled in the criminal justice system due to simple forgetfulness rather than intent.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and funding: Creating and maintaining a statewide automated reminder system requires technology infrastructure and ongoing operational expenses; the fiscal impact statement suggests this has budget implications the legislature must weigh.
  • Effectiveness and equity concerns: Reminders may not reach vulnerable populations without stable phone numbers or addresses, potentially creating disparities in who receives notifications and raising questions about whether the program truly solves the problem equitably.
  • Privacy and data security: Automated court communications require collecting and maintaining contact information for potentially sensitive populations, raising questions about data protection and how information is stored and used.

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

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