The bill titled "An Act relative to safety and justice" introduces several amendments to existing laws aimed at enhancing support for indigent clients and improving the justice system. Notably, it mandates the establishment of a system for assigning social services vendors to assist counsel for indigent clients eligible for relief under chapter 258D. Additionally, it revises the criteria for determining damages payable to claimants who have been wrongfully convicted, shifting the standard of proof from "clear and convincing" to "a preponderance of the evidence." The bill also allows courts to order the expungement or sealing of records related to erroneous felony convictions and introduces penalties for tampering with GPS devices used for monitoring compliance with pretrial release conditions.

Furthermore, the bill expands the grounds for pretrial detention based on dangerousness, detailing specific offenses that would warrant such action. It also stipulates that individuals charged with certain offenses involving abuse must not be admitted to bail before notifying the alleged victim of their imminent release. This comprehensive approach aims to bolster the rights of wrongfully convicted individuals while ensuring that victims are informed and protected throughout the judicial process.

Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 211D-4, 218-26, 258D-1, 276-58A