Section 1 Short title
This Act may be cited as the “Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025”.
Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act of 2025
A BILL
To provide for civil liability in the case of any judicial officer who acts with intentional disregard for public safety or gross negligence in a bond determination or sentencing decision.
Sec. 2 Civil Liability
Cause of action— Any person who establishes by clear and convincing evidence that such person was injured by any action taken, with intentional disregard for public safety or with gross negligence, by a judicial officer in a bond determination or sentencing hearing may obtain, in a civil action, such relief as the court may determine appropriate, which may include punitive damages.
Rule of construction— This Act may not be construed to apply to a judicial act taken in good faith or within the scope of ordinary judicial discretion.
Limitation on immunity— Any immunity otherwise applicable to such a judicial officer under Federal or State law may not be asserted in a civil action under this section.
Sec. 3 Definitions
For purposes of this Act:
The term “judicial officer” means—
any United States district judge, magistrate judge, bankruptcy judge, or other Federal judicial officer; and
any State or local judge or magistrate,
The term “intentional disregard for public safety” means an intentional act or omission that ignores or overrides evidence, statutory mandates, or clear risks to community safety in the exercise of bond or sentencing discretion.
The term “bond determination” includes any judicial order regarding bail, pretrial release, or conditions of release.
The term “sentencing decision” includes any judicial order, issued upon conviction, that imposes—
a term of imprisonment, probation, parole, supervised release, or involuntary commitment;
any conditions on release;
forfeiture; or
any other criminal sanction.