Richmond, VA _ Richmond Commonwealth's Attorney Colette McEachin has announced she will not be recommending jail time for people charged solely with violating Governor Ralph Northam's 8 p.m. curfew last week. But McEachin says she will still be reviewing each case. McEachin released the following statement:
“My office has an ethical duty to investigate the facts of each case before we proceed to trial, and that is what we will continue to do regarding those persons charged with violating the curfew requested by the Mayor.”
As a prosecutor, I also have the duty to consider the circumstances surrounding an alleged crime and the appropriate disposition of a case. The Governor’s Executive Order established the curfew and classified violation of the curfew as a Class 1 misdemeanor, which can include up to 12 months incarceration and/or a fine of up to $2500. Nevertheless, I will exercise my prosecutorial discretion as Commonwealth’s Attorney and waive the possibility of incarceration for anyone charged solely with violating the requested curfew.”
More than 200 people were charged with curfew violations during last week's protests.