Bill > H1363

This bill aims to improve the administration and efficiency of the judicial system in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. Allowing petitions for release on bail to be filed by writing delivered in hand, fax, or electronic transmission rather than just by telephone. It also changes the timeline for superior court review of these petitions, requiring them to be heard within 3 business days unless the court orders otherwise for good cause. 2. Modifying the language in the statute regarding persons "held under arrest for" a crime to instead use the language "charged with" a crime. 3. Giving the district attorney sole responsibility and discretion to determine which criminal cases are tried and the order in which they are prioritized. The district attorney must provide a monthly list of cases to be tried, and the court cannot order a case to trial over the district attorney's objection or if the district attorney refuses to move for trial. Cases also cannot be dismissed due to the timeline of prosecution unless there is a finding of a speedy trial violation.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H1363