Relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of...
Relative to venue in criminal prosecutions of distribution of a controlled drug with death resulting.
This bill addresses where criminal trials for drug distribution cases resulting in death can be held. Specifically, it allows these cases to be prosecuted in any county where the crime occurred or where the victim lived at the time of their death. The bill has bipartisan support and has successfully passed both the Senate and the House. It was signed into law by the Governor on July 1, 2025, and is now in effect.
This law affects individuals involved in drug distribution cases where the distribution leads to a death. It ensures that such serious cases can be prosecuted in locations that are most relevant to the crime, providing more flexibility in where trials can take place. This could be particularly important in cases where the evidence or witnesses are spread across different counties.
As of July 3, 2025, the bill has been passed and is now law. It went through several stages of approval, including committee reviews, amendments, and final votes in both legislative chambers before being signed by the Governor. The most recent action was on July 1, 2025, when it was signed into law.
