Virginia Legal*Political Blog

Prosecutors are backing bills to require a police investigation before someone could be arrested on a magistrate-issued felony warrant.

The Virginia Association of Commonwealth’s Attorneys backs the bill for two reasons, reports the Daily Press. First, cases with a lack of a police investigation are more likely fall apart in court. Second, it would help prevent people from being arrested on the word of someone bent on retaliation.

Under the proposed law, magistrates would still issue search warrants, set a defendant’s bail and issue warrants in misdemeanor cases with no police investigation.

By Sarah Rodriguez