Voluntary manslaughter; increases penalty.

Plain English Breakdown

The exact financial impact is estimated but cannot be precisely determined.

Increasing Punishment for Voluntary Manslaughter

This bill changes how voluntary manslaughter is punished by making it an unclassified felony with a minimum prison sentence of one year and a maximum of 20 years, or up to one year in jail or fines up to $2,500 at the discretion of the court.

What This Bill Does

• Changes the punishment for voluntary manslaughter from a Class 5 felony to an unclassified felony.
• Increases the minimum prison sentence from one year to not less than one year and allows up to 20 years in state correctional facilities.
• Gives judges and juries the choice to punish with jail time of up to one year or fines up to $2,500 instead of prison time.

Who It Names or Affects

• People who commit voluntary manslaughter will face stricter penalties under this law.

Terms To Know

Voluntary Manslaughter

A crime where someone kills another person in the heat of passion or without planning it ahead of time.

Unclassified Felony

A serious crime that does not fit into a specific category and can have different levels of punishment depending on the case.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exact financial impact of this bill cannot be determined, but it is estimated to cost at least $50,000 for state correctional facilities.

Official Summary Text

Voluntary manslaughter; penalty.
Increases the penalty for voluntary manslaughter from a Class 5 felony, punishable by between one and ten years' imprisonment in a state correctional facility, to an unclassified felony punishable by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than one year nor more than 20 years or, in the discretion of the jury or court trying the case without a jury, by confinement in jail for a period not exceeding 12 months or a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.

Current Bill Text

A BILL to amend and reenact §
18.2-35
of the Code of Virginia, relating to voluntary manslaughter; penalty.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §
18.2-35
of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§
18.2-35
. How voluntary manslaughter punished.

Voluntary manslaughter is punishable
as a Class 5 felony
by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not less than one
year
nor more than 20 years
or,
in the discretion of the jury or
court trying the case without a jury, b
y
confine
ment
in jail for a period not exceeding 12 months or
a
fine
of
not more than $2,500, either or both
.

2. That the provisions of this act may result in a net increase in periods of imprisonment or commitment. Pursuant to §
30-19.1:4
of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of imprisonment in state adult correctional facilities; therefore, Chapter 725 of the Acts of Assembly of 2025 requires the Virginia Criminal Sentencing Commission to assign a minimum fiscal impact of $50,000. Pursuant to §
30-19.1:4
of the Code of Virginia, the estimated amount of the necessary appropriation cannot be determined for periods of commitment to the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.