Robert Melvin, Northeast Region Director at the R Street Institute, testified before the Virginia Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee in support of House Bill 885, which proposes establishing an automated court date reminder system. Melvin stated, “The R Street Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan public policy research organization. We engage in policy analysis and outreach promoting free markets and limited, effective government in a variety of policy areas, including criminal justice and civil liberties. We have a particular focus on issues that optimize our justice system and ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars while improving public safety outcomes. For this reason, we support House Bill 885.”
Melvin pointed out that while automated reminders are common for appointments such as doctor visits or car maintenance, they are not standard practice in Virginia’s court system. He noted that failures to appear (FTAs) often result from forgetfulness or misunderstanding rather than intentional avoidance.
Currently, Virginia offers an opt-in alert system called the Case Alert Subscription System (CASS), but it is underutilized due to its opt-in nature and lack of visibility. According to research cited by Melvin, states with self-enrollment systems see much lower participation rates—around two percent—compared to 72 to 90 percent for automated reminder programs (https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/issue-briefs/2025/05/states-underuse-court-date-reminders).
House Bill 885 would create an automated notification program for defendants scheduled to appear in general district or circuit courts for criminal or traffic violations (https://lis.virginia.gov/bill-details/20261/HB885). The program would use contact information collected during initial law enforcement interactions to send text message reminders about upcoming hearings and consequences for failing to appear. Defendants would have the option to opt out of receiving these alerts.
Melvin referenced evidence from other states where similar opt-out systems have been implemented, noting reductions in failure-to-appear incidents by 20 to 40 percent—and up to 60 percent in some cases (https://www.rstreet.org/research/modernizing-virginias-court-notification-system-to-reduce-failure-to-appear/). These improvements could lead to fewer additional charges and bench warrants issued for missed appearances.
He also discussed the financial impact on Virginia’s criminal justice system. Each FTA costs taxpayers approximately $1,500 due to increased demands on court personnel and law enforcement resources (https://www.vera.org/news/millions-of-people-in-the-u-s-miss-their-court-date-with-dire-consequences). Annually, about 11,000 Virginians are charged with FTA—a figure that does not include all related incidents such as bench warrants or license suspensions (https://rga.lis.virginia.gov/Published/2025/RD922/PDF). Automated reminders could help between 2,200 and 4,400 more individuals attend their hearings.
Automated court reminder systems have already been adopted statewide in several states including Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Texas. Reports indicate these systems can be integrated into existing judicial processes at relatively low cost—less than $1 per case—and ongoing expenses remain minimal (https://www.route-fifty.com/digital-government/2025/05/report-text-reminders-court-hearings-can-help-boost-justice-system-efficiency/405352/, https://www.ideas42.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/i42-1530_RemindersRpt_Final.pdf). The estimated initial investment for Virginia is $1.5 million; however, current costs related to FTAs amount to about $17.2 million annually (https://lis.blob.core.windows.net/files/1134967.PDF).
In closing his testimony Melvin said: “HB 885 will help to reduce failure to appear rates in Virginia through the implementation of an automated court reminder system. The Commonwealth can realize significant cost savings from reduced hearing delays, executions of bench warrants, and jail use. This would allow crucial public safety resources to be focused on more vital needs, rather than those who simply forgot or misunderstood their court dates. For these reasons, we respectfully encourage you to support HB 885.”
