Today Ramin Fatehi joined the Governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, Senators Scott A. Surovell and Joseph D. Morrissey, and leaders from around the Commonwealth for the ceremonial signing of the bill to end the jury penalty in Virginia. Ramin was the lead prosecutor lobbying on behalf of multiple Commonwealth’s Attorneys for this important change to Virginia criminal procedure.
“This bill is the most significant change to Virginia criminal law in at least a quarter-century,” Ramin said, “As in the federal system and in 48 other states, we will now entrust our juries to decide the key question of guilt or innocence while leaving the technical question of sentencing to our judges.”
This is the second ceremonial bill signing at which Ramin has spoken. In 2017, Ramin spoke in support of a bill creating a procedure for prosecutors and defense lawyers to admit written records without bringing business record custodians to court.
“Should I earn the privilege to serve as Commonwealth’s Attorney,” said Ramin, “I will continue to work hard in Richmond to improve Virginia’s criminal laws for the people of Norfolk and for all Virginians.
