Bill > H1691

This bill amends Section 58A of Chapter 276 of Massachusetts General Laws to expand the list of offenses for which the Commonwealth can seek pretrial detention or conditional release based on a person's perceived dangerousness. The expanded list includes a wide range of serious criminal offenses, such as multiple drunk driving violations, certain drug offenses, violations of protective orders, domestic abuse-related offenses, various felonies involving physical force or violence, and crimes related to sexual offenses, assault, and other serious criminal acts. The bill specifically allows prosecutors to request pretrial detention or release with conditions when a person is charged with any of these enumerated offenses, which include everything from repeated traffic violations to felonies involving physical force, conspiracy, and solicitation to commit such crimes. The purpose of this legislation appears to be providing judicial authorities with more flexibility to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from being released into the community before their trial, particularly in cases involving repeated or serious offenses that suggest a pattern of harmful behavior.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1691