Several people pardoned for past crimes recently advocated in favor of legislation known as the “Second Look” bill.

Senate Bill 378, introduced by Sen. Chap Petersen (D-Fairfax), would allow the incarcerated an opportunity to petition the court for resentencing under certain qualifications. Del. Carrie E. Coyner (R-Chesterfield) proposed the companion bill. Neither lawmaker responded to requests for an interview.

As proposed in the legislation, individuals who committed a crime at age 25 or younger and have served for 10 years could petition the court for a modified sentence. A person over the age of 26 at the time of the crime could petition the court if 15 years of the sentence was served. The incarcerated would need a record of good behavior to qualify. There would be a 90-day process to get back in front of a sentencing judge. The commonwealth and victims would be notified.The legislation is similar to a 2019 policy in Washington. The D.C law allows for people who were incar...