Lawmakers in Virginia are considering a proposal that would make a major change to the legal system in Virginia.
Virginia’s the only state in the country that doesn’t guarantee a right to appeal court rulings.
That’s a situation Senator John Edwards of Roanoke says creates a lack of oversight for judges. And that's why he has introduced a bill that would add new judges and expand the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals to guarantee a right to appeal court cases.
"It's universally recognized that the model for justice should have at least one appeal of right in all civil and all criminal cases," Edwards explained. "From Aristotle in 200 BC to the American Bar Association, they've supported this concept."
Republicans are raising concerns about the cost. Now, the governor has set aside about $4 million to add four new judges, but Edwards wants to add two more judges on top of that for a total of six, new judges.
Republican Senator Mark Obenshain voted against the bill.
"So the four new judges of the Court of Appeals are in the budget, not the additional two called for in this bill, nor are the 50, five-zero, assistant attorney generals," he said.
The bill has passed the Senate Judiciary Committee, but it’s now headed to the Finance Committee where senators will debate if Virginia can afford to guarantee that everybody has a right to appeal court rulings.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
