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HB 150

Felonies; limitation on prosecution due to lapse of time after finding of probable cause.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Wren Williams

HB 150 imposes prosecution deadlines for Virginia felonies after probable cause findings, balancing defendants' timely justice rights against law enforcement prosecution authority.

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Bill Summary · HB 150

Legislative bill overview

HB 150 establishes a statute of limitations for felony prosecutions in Virginia, requiring that charges must be filed within a specified timeframe after a probable cause finding. The bill aims to balance the state's prosecution interests with defendants' rights to timely resolution of criminal charges.

Why is this important

Statutes of limitations protect individuals from indefinite legal jeopardy and ensure that prosecutions rely on evidence and witness testimony while memories are fresh. This bill directly affects how long Virginia can pursue felony cases, impacting both defendants' due process protections and law enforcement's ability to prosecute crimes, particularly serious offenses that may currently have no time limits.

Potential points of contention

  • Serious crimes exclusion: The bill likely exempts certain felonies (murder, sexual assault, etc.) from limitations, creating debate over which crimes warrant unlimited prosecution windows versus individual fairness
  • Retroactive application: Whether the timeline applies to cases with probable cause findings before the law's enactment could affect dozens of pending prosecutions and create legal challenges
  • Investigative burden: Defense arguments that short timelines pressure incomplete investigations versus prosecution arguments that reasonable periods allow thorough casework

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

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