                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

ESTABLISHMENT OF VICTIM-OFFENDER RECONCILIATION PROGRAM (§ 19.2-11.4)

A. Any Crime Victim and Witness Assistance Program may establish a
victim-offender reconciliation program to provide an opportunity after
conviction for a victim, at his request and upon the subsequent agreement of the
offender, to:

   1. Meet with the offender in a safe, controlled environment in accordance with
   the policies established pursuant to subsection B of &#xA7; 53.1-30;

   2. Give to the offender, either orally or in writing, a summary of the
   financial, emotional, and physical effects of the offense on the victim or the
   victim&#8217;s family; and

   3. Discuss a proposed restitution agreement which may be submitted for
   consideration by the sentencing court for damages incurred by the victim as a
   result of the offense.

B. If the victim chooses to participate in a victim-offender reconciliation
program under this section, the victim shall execute a waiver releasing the
Crime Victim and Witness Assistance Program, attorney for the offender and the
attorney for the Commonwealth from civil and criminal liability for actions
taken by the victim or offender as a result of participation by the victim or
the offender in a victim-offender reconciliation program.

C. A victim shall not be required to participate in a victim-offender
reconciliation program under this section.

D. The failure of any person to participate in a reconciliation program pursuant
to this section shall not be used directly or indirectly at sentencing.

HISTORY: 1995, c. 628; 2010, c. 844.