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Committee reviews proposal to preserve charging discretion in mental‑health crises; staff says discretion already exists
Summary
A proposal from the Fairfax Area Coordinating Council urged language allowing police and prosecutors discretion when physical interactions during a behavioral‑health crisis occur; staff reported officers and prosecutors currently exercise such discretion and advised monitoring future legislation rather than immediate changes.
The committee considered a recommendation to add language to the behavioral‑health position supporting discretion for police officers and prosecutors when physical interactions during a behavioral‑health crisis might otherwise trigger an assault‑on‑an‑officer charge.
Staff explained the Code of Virginia currently elevates some…
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