Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice Pretrial topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County reports early kinks after new weekend magistrates begin setting bail
Summary
Three magistrates have begun holding 24‑hour bail hearings on weekends; Strafford County staff reported generally good communication but described operational issues including magistrates reviewing full criminal histories and ordering placements without county consent.
County staff told commissioners on Jan. 15 that three magistrates appointed under recent legislation are conducting weekend bail hearings to meet the statute’s 24‑hour requirement for an initial appearance. Carrie Collier said the magistrates—one named in the rollout was Frank Weeks—have a focused remit covering a limited set of offenses and operate by phone or video when possible.
Collier said communication with the magistrates has been “perfect” and that the magistrates were receptive to feedback. However, staff reported two operational issues in the pilot period: magistrates sometimes review a defendant’s entire criminal history (lengthening hearings that are designed to be brief weekend appearances) and magistrates had in at least one instance ordered a placement or community corrections referral that county staff considered unacceptable without the county’s prior consent.
“When we reached out...we were told that it’s because the parties came to an agreement,” a county staff member said; staff are asking judges and general counsel to clarify the county’s role and whether the county must be made a party to agreements affecting local placement. County staff also reported walk‑in hearings and instances where timing made a Monday hearing appropriate under the 24‑hour rule.
Staff said they are monitoring the rollout, have scheduled a February meeting in Belknap County with pretrial officials and have invited the magistrates to coordinate procedures. County staff cautioned that the magistrate pilot may require legislative tweaks once operational patterns emerge.
