Friday, September 29, 2023

Gov. Northam Signs Probation Reform Bill For Virginia

(WYDaily file/Courtesy of Gov. Ralph Northam's official Twitter page)
Gov. Ralph Northam signed a probation reform bill that will take effect in July. (WYDaily file)

STATEWIDE — Governor Ralph Northam signed a bill on Thursday, June 10 that will change the probation system in Virginia.

The probation reform bill will provide court limitations for probation sentences in the Commonwealth. 

The new law, which takes effect July 1, will limit probation terms to a maximum of one year for misdemeanors and five years for felonies. 

The bill will also limit the amount of prison time that a court can order for a probation violation.

For the signing ceremony in Richmond, Northam was joined by rapper and reform advocate Meek Mill, who was in prison and on probation for 12 years until 2019 over a misdemeanor arrest.

Prior to the bill’s signing, Virginia was one of only seven states that did not specify these restrictions. 

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