In 2021, NACDL advocated for the passage of SB 1266, a bill to eliminate the provisions in the Virginia code that established a presumption against bail for certain offenses. Ending presumptions against bail has been a priority issue of the Virginia Pretrial Justice Coalition, of which NACDL is a member. NACDL provided verbal testimony in support of SB 1266 and facilitated contact with Virginia state legislators through a campaign on NACDL's Legislative Action Center.
On March 24, 2021, Governor Ralph Northam signed SB 1266 into law. The passage of SB 1266 restores the presumption of innocence at bail hearings and allows for the consideration of individual circumstances in all cases in Virginia.
