This bill amends existing laws regarding misdemeanor sexual assault prosecutions, specifically for cases involving victims under the age of 18. It requires defendants charged with such offenses to choose between two options: they can either appeal to the superior court for a jury trial within 30 days of arraignment or proceed with a trial in the circuit court, which would waive their right to a jury trial and the right to appeal for a jury trial. The bill also stipulates that a circuit court cannot proceed with a trial unless it has confirmed that the defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waived their right to a jury trial.

Additionally, the bill updates legal references, replacing "District Court Rule 2.14" with "Rule of Criminal Procedure 21(a)" and introduces a new section, RSA 632-A:9-a, specifically addressing misdemeanor sexual assault prosecutions involving minors. The effective date for this legislation is set for January 1, 2026, and it is projected to have a fiscal impact of less than $10,000 for each fiscal year from 2026 to 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 502-A:12, 599:1
As Amended by the House: 502-A:12, 599:1