This bill amends RSA 526:4 to extend the time allowed for petitioning a new trial from the current limit of three years after the judgment to include specific circumstances under which the time limit does not apply. The new provisions allow for exceptions if the petitioner is involved in a criminal case with a felony or class A misdemeanor conviction, is incarcerated or subject to a sentence, presents newly discovered evidence, and claims innocence. Additionally, the bill defines "newly discovered evidence" and outlines the court's responsibilities in determining whether a petition meets the necessary prima facie showing before granting a hearing.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the standard for granting a motion for a new trial remains unchanged as per RSA 526:1, and it mandates that victim services be reactivated upon request during the reinvestigation of a case. The effective date for this act is set for January 1, 2027. The amendments include the insertion of new legal language regarding the exceptions and definitions, while the previous three-year limit is retained but clarified with the insertion of "3" in numerical form.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 526:4
HB1422 text: 526:4