RD277 - Embracery


Executive Summary:
During the 2005 Session of the Virginia General Assembly, Delegate Rob B. Bell introduced House Bill 2265. House Bill 2265, 2005 General Assembly, Reg. Sess. (Va. 2005). See attachment A. This bill was referred to the House Courts of Justice Committee, which sent a letter to the Crime Commission, asking for an examination of the bill.

The language of House Bill 2265 makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to “corruptly influence” a juror. This is, in essence, the common law crime of embracery, and is a recognizable offense that currently can be prosecuted in Virginia. The Supreme Court of Virginia specifically held that the offense of embracery exists in the Commonwealth, as a Class 1 misdemeanor, even though it has not been codified.