This bill amends existing laws regarding misdemeanor prosecutions, specifically for sexual assault, assault, and stalking offenses, by requiring defendants to make an early election regarding their right to a jury trial. Under the new provisions, defendants charged with certain misdemeanors in circuit court must choose either to appeal to superior court for a jury trial within 30 days of arraignment or to proceed with a trial in circuit court, which waives their right to a jury trial and the right to appeal. The bill also mandates that a circuit court cannot proceed with a trial unless it confirms that the defendant has knowingly and voluntarily waived their right to a jury trial.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing statutes to include references to the new sections concerning assault and stalking prosecutions, specifically inserting references to RSA 631:2-c, 632-A:9-a, and 633:3-a in the appeals process. The effective date for these changes is set for January 1, 2027. The bill is expected to significantly increase the number of misdemeanor jury trials in superior court, which may necessitate additional judicial resources and operational support, with estimated costs potentially exceeding $500,000 annually.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 632-A:9-a, 633:3-a, 502-A:12, 599:1
HB1547 text: 632-A:9-a, 633:3-a, 502-A:12, 599:1