H 1868
An Act requiring only a justice to remove a trial default of a defendant who fails to appear at trial
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- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Bill overview
This bill would change the process for removing a ‘trial default’ – a legal penalty for a defendant failing to appear in court – for criminal cases. Currently, a judge can remove this default. This bill would specifically require a justice, a lower-level court official, to have the authority to remove the default, streamlining the process and potentially reducing unnecessary penalties for minor failures to appear. The bill was considered by the Massachusetts legislature but ultimately failed to pass.
Sponsors
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Primary sponsor
Christopher M. Markey
Cosponsor
Christopher M. Markey
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