§ 3577. Privilege from arrest
(a) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, State Treasurer, Secretary of State, Auditor of
Accounts, Attorney General, and members of the General Assembly and officers and witnesses
whose duty it is to attend thereon, in all cases except treason, felony, and breach
of the peace, shall be privileged from arrest and imprisonment during their necessary
attendance on and in going to and returning from the General Assembly.
(b) A party or witness in a cause pending in any court in the State or before special
masters, auditors, referees, or commissioners, and a witness in a criminal cause pending
in any such court, shall not be arrested, imprisoned, or detained by virtue of civil
process. Any witness summoned from outside the State in a criminal cause, pending
in any court within the State, shall be privileged from the service of papers of any
kind whatsoever, and from arrest for any cause while going to, attending at, or returning
from such court or trial of such cause.
(c)(1) Prohibition. A person shall not be subject to civil arrest while traveling to, entering, remaining
at, or returning from a court proceeding.
(2) Exceptions. Subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not apply to:
(A) an arrest pursuant to a judicially issued warrant or a court order;
(B) an arrest for contempt of the court where the proceeding is occurring; or
(C) an arrest to maintain order or safety in the court where the proceeding is occurring.
(3) Remedies.
(A) A person who violates this subsection by knowingly and willfully executing or assisting
with an arrest prohibited by subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) shall be subject
to contempt proceedings and may be liable in a civil action for false imprisonment.
(B) A person who is arrested in violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection (c) may
bring a civil action against the violator for damages; injunctive, equitable, or declaratory
relief; punitive damages; and reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
(C) The Office of the Attorney General may bring a civil action on behalf of the State
of Vermont for appropriate injunctive, equitable, or declaratory relief if there is
reasonable cause to believe that a violation of subdivision (1) of this subsection
(c) has occurred or will occur.
(D) No action under this subsection shall be brought against the Judiciary or any of its
members or employees for actions taken to maintain order or safety in the courts.
(E) This section shall not be construed to limit or infringe upon any right, privilege,
or remedy available under common law or any other provision of law or rule.
(F) Notwithstanding section 3578 of this title, the protections and remedies afforded by this subsection apply irrespective of when
the privilege against civil arrest is invoked.
(4) Definition. As used in this subsection, “civil arrest” means an arrest for purposes of obtaining
a person’s presence or attendance at a civil proceeding, including an immigration
proceeding. (Amended 2021, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 31, 2022.)