119 HR 5312 IH: Judicial Accountability for Irresponsible Leniency Act U.S. House of Representatives 2025-09-11 text/xml EN Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

I119th CONGRESS1st SessionH. R. 5312IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVESSeptember 11, 2025Mr. Fine (for himself, Mrs. Luna, and Mr. LaMalfa) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the JudiciaryA BILLTo authorize civil actions against judges who, and other government entities that, release repeat offenders on bail, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Judicial Accountability for Irresponsible Leniency Act or the JAIL Act.

2.

Civil actions for harm caused by repeat offenders released pending trial

(a)

Civil action

If a judge or another government entity issues an order releasing a covered defendant on bail pending trial, and the covered defendant harms another person during such release, that person (or an immediate family member of that person if the person is deceased), may bring a civil action against the judge or other government entity in an appropriate district court of the United States seeking damages. (b)

No judicial immunity

Judicial immunity is not a defense in a civil action under this section. (c)

Definitions

In this section: (1)The term covered defendant means an individual who is charged with a crime of violence and has previously been convicted of a crime of violence. (2)The term crime of violence has the meaning given that term in section 16 of title 18, United States Code. (3)The term judge includes Federal and State judges.