November 20, 2025
Mr. Sheehy (for himself and Mrs. Blackburn) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
To authorize civil actions against judges who, and other government entities that, release repeat offenders on bail, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Judicial Accountability for Irresponsible Leniency Act
or the JAIL Act
.
Sec. 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.