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News articles about John Welch

New bill could allow criminal records to be read in court

RICHMOND, Va. -- Defendants in Virginia trials might soon have information about their criminal history admitted in court, if a bill is passed by the General Assembly.

The bill aims to expand what a prosecutor can divulge about a convicted criminal's past. The legislation also would allow prosecutors to include information on punishments handed down, parole and probation, as well as allow victim impact testimony during trial proceedings.

Del. John J. Welch III (R-Virginia Beach), who introduced the legislation, is also co-chair of the Commonwealth's Program for Prisoner Reentry to Society. The CPRP is designed to keep ex-convicts out of jail through rehabilitation and other methods. (More...)

Immigration outcry resonates with legislators

Public outcry over the deaths of two teenagers likely will lead the General Assembly to spend more time in next year's session on legislation aimed at illegal immigration, state lawmakers said Monday....

Legislators have fielded numerous calls from constituents outraged that Alfredo Ramos was not deported to his native Mexico before the March 30 deaths of Alison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16....

"Unfortunately, I think it's going to take this incident and public outcry" to convince policymakers "that illegal immigrants committing crimes is not a federal responsibility," said Del. John Welch, R-Virginia Beach. "It's an every-level-of-government responsibility." (More...)

Va. Toughens Penalties for Drunken Driving

In its 2001 national report card, MADD gave Virginia's drunken driving laws a grade of D-plus.

After the 2004 Republican overhaul of drunk driving laws, "Virginia now will be one of 10 states that are harshest on drunk drivers," said MADD's national president, Wendy Hamilton.

Two laws stand out - zero-tolerance law makes it illegal for drivers with restricted licenses from drunken driving convictions to drive with any alcohol in their systems.

Another law sends "super drunks" -- defined as drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.15, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.08 -- to jail for at least five days, even if they are first-time offenders.

The laws also increase punishments for repeat offenders. Those convicted of drunken driving for the third time in five years, for example, must serve six months in jail, up from 30 days. Three-time offenders also may be required to forfeit their cars. (More...)