ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, December 22, 1996              TAG: 9612230133
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: B7   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
DATELINE: RICHMOND 

IMMUNITY LAW BEING REVISED

State lawmakers facing criminal charges would get no special treatment during General Assembly sessions, but would be shielded from civil action under a measure sent to a legislative panel.

The revisions of the state's legislative immunity statute were sent Thursday to the House Courts of Justice Committee. The immunity law has been under review since February, when Del. Robert Nelms was arrested in a Richmond park on charges of indecent exposure.

Nelms, R-Suffolk, invoked the little-known privilege of immunity from arrest during legislative sessions to avoid being prosecuted on the charge. In June, he pleaded guilty after being indicted by a grand jury.

Under the proposed immunity revisions, the law would distinguish between civil and criminal charges.

- Associated Press

LENGTH: Short :   28 lines
KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1997