Bill · H.R. 5312· House(119-HR-5312)
JAIL Act
- Introduced
- 9/11/2025
- Last activity
- 9/11/2025 — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Sponsored by
- Randy Fine
- Cosponsors
- - 4 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Judicial Accountability for Irresponsible Leniency Act" or the "JAIL Act," focuses on civil actions related to bail. It allows individuals or their immediate family members to sue judges or government entities if a covered defendant harms them while out on bail. A covered defendant is defined as someone charged with a crime of violence who has a previous conviction for a crime of violence. The Act explicitly states that judicial immunity cannot be used as a defense in these specific civil actions.
Yes
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill increases judicial accountability by allowing civil lawsuits for decisions regarding bail.
The opposite
Does this change how police departments operate?-4
The bill removes judicial immunity, which increases the legal and financial liability of the judiciary when releasing defendants on bail.
Does this leave more decisions to the states?-3
The bill imposes federal civil liability standards on state judges regarding their bail decisions.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?-2
The removal of judicial immunity may impact the standard legal protections afforded to judicial officers during their duties.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Right to Seek Damages: Victims of crimes committed by repeat offenders can bring a civil action in a district court to seek damages if they or an immediate family member are harmed. (Section 2(a))
-
Removal of Legal Protections for Officials: The bill removes judicial immunity as a defense, which allows for direct legal accountability against judges or government entities in these specific circumstances. (Section 2(b))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Targeting Judges and Government Entities: Judges (both Federal and State) and other government entities could face civil lawsuits and financial damages if a defendant they released on bail commits a crime of violence. (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)(3))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Policing Reform-4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increase States Rights-3Improves Due Process-2
- 9/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/11/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Doug LaMalfaRepublican · California
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio
Michael SimpsonRepublican · Idaho