Signed by Governor Pete Ricketts

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes provisions related to court proceedings and offenders' options for paying bail.

Highlights:

• Prohibits imprisonment in relation to the debt collection process unless a judge has found a debtor to be in contempt of court (Sec. 2).

• Requires the court to consider all methods of bond and conditions of release to avoid pretrial incarceration.(Sec. 2)

• Requires judges to consider the defendant’s financial ability to pay a bond and assign fines or fees that will reasonably assure the defendant's appearance in court or that will reduce or eliminate the risk of harm to others or the public at large (Sec. 2).

• Specifies that any person who is brought into custody on a warrant for failure to pay fines or court costs is eligible to have a hearing on the first regularly scheduled court date following the date of arrest (Sec. 11).

• Specifies that the debtor has a legitimate reason they have not paid an installment of the fines and fees the court may (Sec. 13):

• Modify the terms of the installments and their payment; or

• Discharge the obligation of the debtor to pay them.

Full Bill Text