An act relating to how a defendant’s criminal record is considered in imposing conditions of release

This bill requires Vermont courts to explicitly consider the number of charges a defendant faces and their recent history of pending charges when deciding on pretrial release conditions. It directly affects judges, prosecutors, and defendants appearing before a judicial officer by mandating these specific factors be evaluated alongside existing criteria like prior convictions and flight risk. The key provision adds these new considerations to the legal standards for determining whether a defendant can be released on personal recognizance or if additional conditions like supervision or travel restrictions are necessary. The law takes effect on July 1, 2024, and applies to all criminal cases except those where a person is already held without bail.