“Right now, Virginia law is extremely good, and we’re concerned that if it’s not done right, it can actually make it worse.”
Mr. Van Cleave is 100% correct. While Virginia does not have a "Castle Doctrine Law", per-se, the Commonwealth also has no history of prosecuting, or attempting to prosecute, those who have justly defended themselves, their loved ones and/or their property from criminals. It would be a shame for us to screw things up by rushing to jump on the "Castle Doctrine" bandwagon just because it happens to be in the neighborhood.
I’m actually surprised that my beloved Commonwealth doesn’t have a formal castle doctrine law. Growing up in rural Amherst County, it was just assumed. If somebody tried to break into a house, if the ever-present dogs didn’t get them, the homeowner would. And fortunately, most Commonwealth’s Attorneys have enough brains not to prosecute home defense, although I wouldn’t trust ones in liberal counties like Arlington or Albemarle.
}:-)4