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Minutes for HB2535 - Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice
Short Title
Changing the number of days within which a criminal defendant shall be brought to trial from 150 to 90.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 5, 2018
Natalie Scott gave an overview of HB2566. The Committee had questions and comments.
Robert Bieniecki testified on behalf of the Douglas County Criminal Justice Council in support of HB2535 as a potential solution to the overpopulation problem, the 2015 change of a speedy trial for incarcerated defendants from 90 days to 150 days contributes to the longer lengths of stay we are experiencing in the county jail. (Attachment 5)
The Committee had questions and comments.
Jennifer Roth testified on behalf of the Kansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in support of HB2535. Roth stated it makes more sense to address the problems with the system as the change to 150 days was a band-aid at the best - a costly bandage as far as local governments are concerned. (Attachment 6)
The Committee had questions and comments.
Written only testimony in support of HB2535 was submitted by Mike Fonkert on behalf of the Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 7) and Vignesh Ganapathy on behalf of the Kansas American Civil Liberties Union (Attachment 8).
Honorable Merlin G. Wheeler testified on behalf of the Kansas District Judges' Association in opposition of HB2535 due to the proposed legislation has the potential to pose risk to the community or impair the ability of judges to properly conduct the business before the courts, they feel compelled to bring some matter to your attention. (Attachment 9)
The Committee had questions and comments.
Kim T. Parker testified on behalf of the Kansas County and District Attorneys Association in opposition of HB2535, are extremely concerned that this change will not only fail to fix the jail overcrowding problem in Douglas County or any other County but that would seriously jeopardize current pending criminal Trials if required to apply a 150 day deadline. (Attachment 10)
Written only testimony in opposition of HB2535 was submitted by Natalie Chalmers on behalf of the Kansas Office of the Attorney General (Attachment 11).
Chairperson Jennings called for final questions from the Committee and then closed the hearing.
Chairperson Jennings adjourned the meeting.
