BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 1 of 26
1 S.287
2 Introduced by Senators Brock, Norris and Collamore
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Crimes; criminal procedure; bail; conditions of release
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to expand the
7 mechanisms to hold offenders accountable for violations of conditions of
8 release. Specifically, this bill proposes to lift the $200.00 cap on bail for
9 persons who commit a new offense while on pretrial release; explicitly permits
10 a court to consider whether a person is subject to pretrial release or community
11 supervision, and is compliant with current court orders when setting conditions
12 of release; creates an expedited summary hearing procedure for violations of
13 conditions of release; prohibits repeat offenders from being referred to
14 diversion; permits courts to consider any violations of conditions of release
15 during sentencing; and requires the Office of the Attorney General and
16 Department of Corrections to report annually on various data related to
17 referrals to diversion and other programs employing restorative justice.
18 An act relating to bail and violations of conditions of release VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 2 of 26
1 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
2 Sec. 1. 13 V.S.A. § 7551 is amended to read:
3 § 7551. IMPOSITION OF BAIL, SECURED APPEARANCE BONDS, AND
4 APPEARANCE BONDS
5 (a) Bonds; generally. A bond given by a person charged with a criminal
6 offense or by a witness in a criminal prosecution under section 6605 of this
7 title, conditioned for the appearance of the person or witness before the court
8 in cases where the offense is punishable by fine or imprisonment, and in
9 appealed cases, shall be taken to the Criminal Division of the Superior Court
10 where the prosecution is pending and shall remain binding upon parties until
11 discharged by the court or until sentencing. The person or witness shall appear
12 at all required court proceedings.
13 (b) Limitation on imposition of bail, secured appearance bonds, and
14 appearance bonds.
15 (1) Except as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, no No bail,
16 secured appearance bond, or appearance bond may be imposed:
17 (A) at the initial appearance of a person charged with a misdemeanor
18 if the person was cited for the offense in accordance with Rule 3 of the
19 Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure; or
20 (B) at the initial appearance or upon the temporary release pursuant
21 to Rule 5(b) of the Vermont Rules of Criminal Procedure of a person charged VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 3 of 26
1 with a violation of a misdemeanor offense that is eligible for expungement
2 pursuant to subdivision 7601(4)(A) of this title.
3 (2) In the event the court finds that imposing bail is necessary to
4 mitigate the risk of flight from prosecution for a person charged with a
5 violation of a misdemeanor offense that is eligible for expungement pursuant
6 to subdivision 7601(4)(A) of this title, the court may impose bail in a
7 maximum amount of $200.00. The $200.00 limit shall not apply to an offense
8 committed by a defendant who has been released pending trial for another
9 offense.
10 (3) This subsection shall not be construed to restrict the court’s ability to
11 impose conditions on such persons to reasonably mitigate the risk of flight
12 from prosecution or to reasonably protect the public in accordance with section
13 7554 of this title.
14 Sec. 2. 13 V.S.A. § 7554 is amended to read:
15 § 7554. RELEASE PRIOR TO TRIAL
16 (a) Release; conditions of release. Any person charged with an offense,
17 other than a person held without bail under section 7553 or 7553a of this title,
18 shall at his or her the person’s appearance before a judicial officer be ordered
19 released pending trial in accordance with this section.
20 (1) The defendant shall be ordered released on personal recognizance or
21 upon the execution of an unsecured appearance bond in an amount specified by
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 4 of 26
1 the judicial officer unless the judicial officer determines that such a release will
2 not reasonably mitigate the risk of flight from prosecution as required. In
3 determining whether the defendant presents a risk of flight from prosecution,
4 the judicial officer shall consider, in addition to any other factors, the
5 seriousness of the offense charged and the number of offenses with which the
6 person is charged. If the judicial officer determines that the defendant presents
7 a risk of flight from prosecution, the officer shall, either in lieu of or in
8 addition to the methods of release in this section, impose the least restrictive of
9 the following conditions or the least restrictive combination of the following
10 conditions that will reasonably mitigate the risk of flight of from prosecution
11 by the defendant as required:
12 (A) Place the defendant in the custody of a designated person or
13 organization agreeing to supervise him or her the defendant if the defendant is
14 charged with an offense that is not a nonviolent misdemeanor or nonviolent
15 felony as defined in 28 V.S.A. § 301.
16 (B) Place restrictions on the travel or, association, or place of abode
17 of the defendant during the period of release.
18 (C) Require the defendant to participate in an alcohol or drug
19 treatment program. The judicial officer shall take into consideration the
20 defendant’s ability to comply with an order of treatment and the availability of
21 treatment resources.
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 5 of 26
1 (D) Upon consideration of the defendant’s financial means, require
2 the execution of a secured appearance bond in a specified amount and the
3 deposit with the clerk of the court, in cash or other security as directed, of a
4 sum not to exceed 10 percent of the amount of the bond, such deposit to be
5 returned upon the appearance of the defendant as required.
6 (E) Upon consideration of the defendant’s financial means, require
7 the execution of a surety bond with sufficient solvent sureties, or the deposit of
8 cash in lieu thereof.
9 (F) Impose any other condition found reasonably necessary to
10 mitigate the risk of flight from prosecution as required, including a condition
11 requiring that the defendant return to custody after specified hours.
12 (G) [Repealed.]
13 (2) If the judicial officer determines that conditions of release imposed
14 to mitigate the risk of flight from prosecution will not reasonably protect the
15 public, the judicial officer may impose, in addition, the least restrictive of the
16 following conditions or the least restrictive combination of the following
17 conditions that will reasonably ensure protection of the public:
18 (A) Place the defendant in the custody of a designated person or
19 organization agreeing to supervise him or her the defendant if the defendant is
20 charged with an offense that is not a nonviolent misdemeanor or nonviolent
21 felony as defined in 28 V.S.A. § 301.
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 6 of 26
1 (B) Place restrictions on the travel, association, or place of abode of
2 the defendant during the period of release.
3 (C) Require the defendant to participate in an alcohol or drug
4 treatment program. The judicial officer shall take into consideration the
5 defendant’s ability to comply with an order of treatment and the availability of
6 treatment resources.
7 (D) Impose any other condition found reasonably necessary to
8 protect the public, except that a physically restrictive condition may only be
9 imposed in extraordinary circumstances.
10 (E) Suspend the officer’s duties in whole or in part if the defendant is
11 a State, county, or municipal officer charged with violating section 2537 of this
12 title and the court finds that it is necessary to protect the public.
13 (F) [Repealed.]
14 (3) A judicial officer may order that a defendant not harass or contact or
15 cause to be harassed or contacted a victim or potential witness. This order
16 shall take effect immediately, regardless of whether the defendant is
17 incarcerated or released.
18 (b) Judicial considerations in imposing conditions of release. In
19 determining which conditions of release to impose:
20 (1) In subdivision (a)(1) of this section, the judicial officer, on the basis
21 of available information, shall take into account the nature and circumstances VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 7 of 26
1 of the offense charged; the weight of the evidence against the accused; the
2 accused’s employment; financial resources, including the accused’s ability to
3 post bail; the accused’s character and mental condition; the accused’s length of
4 residence in the community; and the accused’s record of appearance at court
5 proceedings or of flight to avoid from prosecution or failure to appear at court
6 proceedings.
7 (2) In subdivision (a)(2) of this section, the judicial officer, on the basis
8 of available information, shall take into account the nature and circumstances
9 of the offense charged; the weight of the evidence against the accused; and the
10 accused’s family ties, employment, character and mental condition, length of
11 residence in the community, record of convictions, and record of appearance at
12 court proceedings or of flight to avoid from prosecution or failure to appear at
13 court proceedings; whether the accused is subject to release on personal
14 recognizance or subject to conditions of release prior to trial, sentencing, or
15 appeal in another case pending before federal or state court; whether the
16 accused is on probation, parole, furlough, or some other form of community
17 supervision in another case adjudicated before a federal or state court; and
18 whether the accused is currently compliant with any standing court orders.
19 Recent history of actual violence or threats of violence may be considered by
20 the judicial officer as bearing on the character and mental condition of the
21 accused.
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 8 of 26
1 (c) Order. A judicial officer authorizing the release of a person under this
2 section shall issue an appropriate order containing a statement of the conditions
3 imposed, if any; shall inform such person of the penalties applicable to
4 violations of the conditions of release; and shall advise him or her the person
5 that a warrant for his or her the person’s arrest will be issued immediately upon
6 any such violation.
7 (d) Review of conditions.
8 (1) A person for whom conditions of release are imposed and who is
9 detained as a result of his or her the person’s inability to meet the conditions
10 of release or who is ordered released on a condition that he or she the person
11 return to custody after specified hours, or the State, following a material
12 change in circumstances, shall, within 48 hours following application, be
13 entitled to have the conditions reviewed by a judge in the court having original
14 jurisdiction over the offense charged. A party applying for review shall be
15 given the opportunity for a hearing. Unless the conditions of release are
16 amended as requested, the judge shall set forth in writing or orally on the
17 record a reasonable basis for continuing the conditions imposed. In the event
18 that a judge in the court having original jurisdiction over the offense charged is
19 not available, any Superior judge may review such conditions.
20 (2) A person for whom conditions of release are imposed shall, within
21 five working days following application, be entitled to have the conditions VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 9 of 26
1 reviewed by a judge in the court having original jurisdiction over the offense
2 charged. A person applying for review shall be given the opportunity for a
3 hearing. Unless the conditions of release are amended as requested, the judge
4 shall set forth in writing or orally on the record a reasonable basis for
5 continuing the conditions imposed. In the event that a judge in the court
6 having original jurisdiction over the offense charged is not available, any
7 Superior judge may review such conditions.
8 (e) Amendment of order. A judicial officer ordering the release of a person
9 on any condition specified in this section may at any time amend the order to
10 impose additional or different conditions of release, provided that the
11 provisions of subsection (d) of this section shall apply.
12 (f) Definition. The term “judicial officer” as used in this section and
13 section 7556 of this title shall mean means a clerk of a Superior Court or a
14 Superior Court judge.
15 (g) Admissibility of evidence. Information stated in, or offered in
16 connection with, any order entered pursuant to this section need not conform to
17 the rules pertaining to the admissibility of evidence in a court of law.
18 (h) Forfeiture. Nothing contained in this section shall be construed to
19 prevent the disposition of any case or class of cases by forfeiture of collateral
20 security if such disposition is authorized by the court.
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 10 of 26
1 (i) Forms. The Court Administrator shall establish forms for appearance
2 bonds, secured appearance bonds, surety bonds, and for use in the posting of
3 bail. Each form shall include the following information:
4 (1) The bond or bail may be forfeited in the event that the defendant or
5 witness fails to appear at any required court proceeding.
6 (2) The surety or person posting bond or bail has the right to be released
7 from the obligations under the bond or bail agreement upon written application
8 to the judicial officer and detention of the defendant or witness.
9 (3) The bond will continue through sentencing in the event that bail is
10 continued after final adjudication.
11 (j) Juveniles. Any juvenile between 14 and 16 years of age who is charged
12 with a listed crime as defined in subdivision 5301(7) of this title shall appear
13 before a judicial officer and be ordered released pending trial in accordance
14 with this section within 24 hours following the juvenile’s arrest.
15 Sec. 3. 13 V.S.A. § 7554e is added to read:
16 § 7554e. VIOLATIONS OF CONDITIONS OF RELEASE
17 (a) Arrest; citation; appearance.
18 (1) Whenever a person is alleged to have violated a condition of release
19 ordered by a court pursuant to section 7554 of this title, the person may be
20 arrested or cited to appear before the court in which the conditions of release
21 were ordered.
VT LEG #372935 v.1
BILL AS INTRODUCED S.287
2024 Page 11 of 26
1 (2) A judicial officer may issue a warrant for the arrest of a person
2 charged with violating a condition of release and the person shall appear before
3 the judicial officer.
4 (3) The person alleged to have violated a condition of release shall
5 appear before the judicial officer not later than the next business day following
6 the arrest or citation for a summary hearing pursuant to subsection (b) of this
7 section.
8 (b) Hearing.
9 (1) A person appearing before a court pursuant to this section shall be
10 entitled to a hearing to determine whether a condition of release was violated.
11 In making the determination, the judicial officer shall consider the following:
12 (A) whether probable cause exists that the person committed an
13 offense under federal or State law while subject to conditions of release; or
14 (B) whether clear and convincing evidence shows that the person
15