§ 8.01-195.13 Compensation for certain intentional acts
A. In any matter resulting in compensation for wrongful incarceration pursuant to this article, if a court of competent jurisdiction over the matter determines, or the court record clearly demonstrates, that the Commonwealth or any agency, instrumentality, officer or employee, or political subdivision thereof (i) intentionally and wrongfully fabricated evidence that was used to obtain the wrongful conviction in such manner and (ii) intentionally, willfully, and continuously suppressed or withheld evidence establishing the innocence of the person wrongfully incarcerated, including suppression or withholding of evidence to the Governor for the purpose of clemency, the Commonwealth may compensate the person wrongfully incarcerated for such intentional acts. Such amount shall be in addition to any compensation awarded pursuant to § 8.01-195.11 and may be up to or equal to the amount of such compensation. The additional compensation shall be added to any amount awarded pursuant to § 8.01-195.11, and the total compensation shall be paid pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-195.11. Nothing provided in this section shall be interpreted to supplant, revoke, or supersede any other provision of this article applicable to the award of compensation for wrongful incarceration, and the additional compensation shall be subject to any conditions set forth in this article.
B. 1. Any compensation awarded pursuant to this article that includes the additional compensation for intentional acts as set forth in subsection A shall not become effective and payable by the Commonwealth unless and until the person wrongfully incarcerated executes the release and waiver pursuant to subsection B of § 8.01-195.12.
2. a. In the event that (i) any compensation awarded pursuant to this article includes the additional compensation for intentional acts as set forth in subsection A; (ii) such award has become effective and payable by the Commonwealth pursuant to subdivision 1; and (iii) the instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, employed any individual committing any of the intentional acts set forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of subsection A, then the person wrongfully incarcerated shall be compensated by such instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, with a sum at least equal to the total compensation provided pursuant to § 8.01-195.11 and this section. b. If it is established to the satisfaction of the Governor that the instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, fails to compensate the person wrongfully incarcerated pursuant to subdivision a, the Governor shall immediately make an order directing the Comptroller to withhold all further payment to the instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, of all funds, or of any part of them, appropriated and payable by the Commonwealth to the instrumentality, or political subdivision thereof, for any and all purposes, until such compensation is paid to the person.
History
This law was first created in 2018. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapters 502 and 503 of that year’s edition of “Acts of Assembly,” the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. It has been modified 2 times. Those modifications are cataloged by “The Acts of Assembly,” a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly’s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 2024, chapter 396; in 2025, chapter 213.
2018, cc. 502, 503; 2024, c. 396; 2025, c. 213.