HB847: Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement.

Legislative Summary

Appointment of counsel for accused; felonies punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life. Provides that in any case in which an indigent defendant is charged with any felony punishable by a mandatory minimum term of confinement for life, the court shall appoint two competent, qualified, and experienced attorneys, one of whom shall be the public defender in a jurisdiction in which a public defender office is established, for the defendant. Under current law, the court is required to appoint two such attorneys in cases in which an indigent defendant is charged with a Class 1 felony. This bill is a recommendation of the Virginia Criminal Justice Conference.