Bill > H1210

This bill proposes several changes to the judicial system, primarily focusing on the release of individuals accused of crimes and the prosecution of criminal cases. It amends existing laws to allow for the release of persons accused of certain crimes by writing, facsimile, or electronic transmission, rather than solely by telephone, and extends the timeframe for hearings on petitions for release to the third business day of a superior court session, unless a court orders otherwise for good cause. The bill also clarifies the process for a superior court justice to review a district court's decision on bail, requiring written justification if the justice overturns or modifies the district court's order due to clear error or excessive bail. Additionally, it redefines "held under arrest" to "charged with" in a related section and significantly alters the process for determining which criminal cases go to trial by granting district attorneys sole discretion to prioritize and decide which cases to try, with limited ability for courts to override this decision or dismiss cases based on the district attorney's inaction, except in cases of a violation of the right to a speedy trial.