Delegate Mullin announces criminal justice reform bill for special session

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) – Delegate Mike Mullin (D-Newport News) announced Friday that he is sponsoring HB5062 criminal justice reform bill to give prosecutors the power to drop charges they feel are unjust with the defendant’s consent.

It is in response to situations in Norfolk, Arlington, and Fairfax where judges refused to dismiss marijuana possession charges when elected prosecutors asked them to. The bill has received the support of the Virginia Progressive Prosecutors for Justice. A similar bill, SB5033, is being carried by Senator Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax.)

“When an elected Commonwealth’s Attorney decides that a charge should be dismissed, an unelected judge should not be able to stand in the way,” said Mullin, “but that’s what we’ve seen happen here in Virginia. Our Commonwealth’s Attorneys should have the ability to make that decision.”

“This bill represents an opportunity to make our criminal justice system work better for all Virginians,” said Mullin. “Reforms such as this are an important step for equity and justice in the Commonwealth.”

Mullin serves the 93rd District which includes the City of Williamsburg and parts of Newport News, James City County, and York County. He serves on the House Courts of Justice Committee, as well as the Labor and Commerce and Rules Committees in the House of Delegates.

He has worked as a prosecutor for more than a decade and handled cases involving domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. Since his election in 2016, Delegate Mullin has helped pass a number of criminal justice bills, including legislation to help end the school-to-prison pipeline.

More information on Delegate Mike Mullin can be found here.