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House Judiciary Committee debates H.741, which would require warrants after failures to appear
Summary
The House Judiciary Committee reviewed H.741, a bill that would require courts to issue arrest warrants (rather than a second citation) when defendants fail to appear. Law‑enforcement backers said the change would curb repeat no‑shows and reoffending; judges and defenders warned it would remove judicial discretion and risk jailing vulnerable people.
BURLINGTON — The House Judiciary Committee on Thursday discussed H.741, a bill that would require courts to issue an arrest warrant when a criminal defendant fails to appear, instead of permitting law enforcement to issue a second citation.
Eric Fitzpatrick of the Office of Legislative Counsel told the committee the measure addresses two common scenarios: a defendant arrested and released on conditions who does not return for a scheduled court date, and a person who was issued a citation to appear and then fails to attend. “The court has to issue an actual arrest warrant and require that the person be arrested rather than given a citation to appear again,” Fitzpatrick said, describing the bill as mechanically straightforward.
Supporters, including the sponsor referenced in the hearing as Representative Oliver, said the change is intended to reduce repeat…
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