RD179 - 2007 Annual Report of the Virginia State Crime Commission


Executive Summary:
[This report was replaced in its entirety on July 17, 2008 by the Virginia State Crime Commission.]

Established in 1966, the Virginia State Crime Commission (“Commission”) is a legislative agency authorized by Code of Virginia § 30-156 et seq. to study, report, and make recommendations on all areas of public safety and protection. In doing so, the Commission endeavors to ascertain the causes of crime and ways to reduce and prevent it, to explore and recommend methods of rehabilitation for convicted criminals, to study compensation of persons in law enforcement and related fields and examine other related matters including the apprehension, trial, and punishment of criminal offenders. The Commission makes such recommendations as it deems appropriate with respect to the foregoing matters, and coordinates the proposals and recommendations of all commissions and agencies as to legislation affecting crimes, crime control and public safety. The Commission cooperates with the executive branch of state government, the Attorney General’s office and the judiciary who are in turn encouraged to cooperate with the Commission. The Commission works with governments and governmental agencies of other states and the United States. The Commission is a criminal justice agency as defined in Code of Virginia § 9.1-101.

The Commission consists of thirteen members that include nine legislative members, three non-legislative citizen members, and one state official as follows: six members of the House of Delegates appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates in accordance with the principles of proportional representation contained in the Rules of the House of Delegates; three members of the Senate appointed by the Senate Committee on Rules; three nonlegislative citizen members appointed by the Governor; and the Attorney General or his designee.