This bill proposes an amendment to West Virginia Code 61-2-10b, establishing a mandatory sentence of 25 years for individuals convicted of assaulting a law enforcement officer or a law enforcement animal. The bill introduces a new subsection (f) that specifically addresses assaults on law enforcement officers and animals, defining the offense and stipulating the severe penalty. The language clarifies that any unlawful attempt to inflict violent injury on these victims, or actions that place them in reasonable apprehension of such injury, will result in a felony charge and the mandatory sentence.

Additionally, the bill makes a deletion in the existing law by removing the reference to "law-enforcement officer" in the definition of assault, thereby focusing on the inclusion of law enforcement animals in the new mandatory sentencing provision. The overall intent of the bill is to enhance the protection of law enforcement personnel and animals by imposing stricter penalties for assaults against them.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 61-2-10b