Criminal cases; request for a jury to ascertain punishment. Provides that an accused may withdraw a request for a jury to ascertain punishment up until the commencement of the sentencing proceeding. The bill also provides that counsel for either party shall have the right to examine jurors regarding the potential range of punishment regardless of whether the jury will ascertain punishment and that the court or counsel for either party may inform any person or juror during voir dire as to the potential range of punishment to ascertain if the person or juror can sit impartially in the guilt or sentencing phase of the case.

Statutes affected:
House: Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24102961D: 19.2-295
House: Committee substitute printed 24105580D-H1: 19.2-262.01, 19.2-295
House: Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB63ER): 19.2-262.01, 19.2-295