Bill > H2243

This bill aims to change the process for defendants who fail to appear for their trial, resulting in a "trial default warrant." Currently, bail might be set by various court officials. This legislation proposes that only a justice of the court that originally issued the warrant, or a justice in the area where the warrant is served, can set bail for someone arrested on such a warrant. Before being released, the defendant might have to pay court costs, though a judge can waive this. The bill also mandates that these "Trial Default Warrants" be clearly marked as such in court records and statewide warrant systems, and it defines a Trial Default Warrant as one issued by a justice when a defendant misses a scheduled trial without a good reason, and the prosecution was ready to proceed with witnesses present and certified as such.