(HB1886)

GOVERNOR'S VETO

Pursuant to Article V, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia, I veto House Bill 1886, which removes the court’s ability to enforce payment of court costs in deferred judgment cases.

The enforcement of court-imposed financial obligations is a critical component of the judicial system, ensuring accountability and consistency in legal proceedings. This legislation undermines that principle by requiring charges to be dismissed even if a defendant has failed to pay mandated court costs or fees, leaving courts without any mechanism to impose or collect unpaid amounts.

Additionally, while the bill states that “costs or other fees remain due,” it fails to establish a clear process for converting those unpaid costs into a civil judgment. Without this mechanism, courts will be unable to enforce financial penalties, creating inconsistencies in how deferred judgment cases are handled across jurisdictions and weakening the deterrent effect of court-imposed costs.

By removing the court’s ability to enforce these financial obligations, this bill sets a precedent that financial penalties in deferred judgment cases are optional.

Accordingly, I veto this bill.