SB455: removing the requirement that district courts be open on Saturdays for arraignments.

CHAPTER 119

SB 455 – FINAL VERSION

15Apr2004… 1043h

2004 SESSION

04-3167

09/01

SENATE BILL 455

AN ACT removing the requirement that district courts be open on Saturdays for arraignments.

SPONSORS: Sen. Morse, Dist 22; Rep. Rausch, Rock 77

COMMITTEE: Judiciary

ANALYSIS

This bill removes the requirement that district courts be open on Saturdays for purposes of arraignments.

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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.

Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]

Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.

15Apr2004… 1043h

04-3167

09/01

STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Four

AN ACT removing the requirement that district courts be open on Saturdays for arraignments.

Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:

119:1 Place and Time of Detention. Amend RSA 594:20-a to read as follows:

594:20-a Place and Time of Detention.

I. When a person is arrested with or without a warrant he or she may be committed to a county correctional facility, to a police station or other place provided for the detention of offenders, or otherwise detained in custody; provided, however, that he or she shall be taken before a district [or municipal] court without unreasonable delay, but not exceeding 24 hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted, to answer for the offense.

II. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph I, defendants detained under RSA 173-B shall have timely access to a bail hearing by telephonic means or otherwise as determined by the district court.

119:2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect upon its passage.

(Approved: May 17, 2004)

(Effective Date: May 17, 2004)