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Committee backs bill allowing solicitors to place defendants in pretrial intervention more than once
Summary
The committee favorably reported H.3057, which would let a solicitor consent to a defendant entering pretrial intervention multiple times (except for prior domestic-violence PTI), following debate about unlimited repeats, fee structure and victim input.
The House Judiciary Committee gave a favorable report to H.3057, a bill that would allow a solicitor to consent to a person participating in pretrial intervention (PTI) more than once, except where the prior participation was for criminal domestic violence.
Mr. Weeks, reporting for the bridal/criminal law subcommittee, said the bill mirrors prior legislation and would "lift that bar" on repeat PTI only with solicitor consent and retains an explicit prohibition for prior domestic-violence participation. He noted the measure passed the legislature in similar form previously.
Committee members raised several concerns. Representative Quinn asked whether unlimited repeats would defeat PTI's purpose as a limited second chance; Mr. Weeks and Representative Rutherford replied that solicitor discretion and victim input limit misuse. Representative Kennedy asked about fees and whether multiple PTI admissions would be subject to the same costs; a committee exchange referenced statutory fees of a $100 initial application and a $250 pre-admission charge for the program.
Supporters argued repeat PTI can provide treatment options such as counseling or monitoring that a simple fine would not, potentially reducing recidivism. Opponents cautioned an open-ended repeat policy risks a revolving door and suggested capping repeats or adding fee or reporting requirements as possible mitigations.
The committee reported the bill favorably and did not adopt an across-the-board numeric limit; members discussed amending on the floor to set a cap if desired.
