TITLE LIX
PROCEEDINGS IN CRIMINAL CASES

CHAPTER 597
BAIL AND RECOGNIZANCES

General Provisions

Section 597:7-a

    597:7-a Detention and Sanctions for Default or Breach of Conditions. –
I. A peace officer may detain an accused until the accused can be brought before a justice if the peace officer has a warrant issued by a justice for default of recognizance or for breach of conditions of release or if the peace officer witnesses a breach of conditions of release. The accused shall be brought before a justice for a bail revocation hearing within 36 hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays excepted.
I-a. If a person violates a restraining order issued under RSA 458:16, III, or a protective order issued under RSA 633:3-a, or a temporary or permanent protective order issued under RSA 173-B by committing assault, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, or another criminal act, a peace officer shall arrest the accused, detain the accused pursuant to RSA 594:19-a, bring the accused before a justice pursuant to RSA 594:20-a, and refer the accused for prosecution. Such arrest may be made within 12 hours after a violation without a warrant upon probable cause whether or not the violation is committed in the presence of the peace officer.
I-b. [Repealed.]
II. A person who has been released pursuant to the provisions of this chapter and who has knowingly committed an act that he or she knew, or reasonably should have known, violated a condition of his or her release may be subject to a revocation of release, an order of detention, and either a prosecution for contempt of court or, unless such conduct violates RSA 642:8, class A misdemeanor breach of bail.

[Paragraph III(intro. par.) effective until January 1, 2027; see also paragraph III(intro. par.) set out below.]


III. The state may initiate a proceeding for revocation of an order of release by filing a motion with the court which ordered the release and the order of which is alleged to have been violated. The court may issue a warrant for the arrest of a person charged with violating a condition of release, and the person shall be brought before the court for a proceeding in accordance with this section. The court shall enter an order of revocation and detention if, after a hearing, the court:


[Paragraph III(intro. par.) effective January 1, 2027; see also paragraph III(intro. par.) set out above.]


III. The state may initiate a proceeding for revocation of an order of release by filing a motion with the court which ordered the release and the order of which is alleged to have been violated. In domestic violence, stalking, and harassment cases, the hearing on the motion shall be scheduled within 72 hours, excluding weekends and state or federal holidays. The hearing does not have to be held within 72 hours of the filing of the motion, but it shall be scheduled within 72 hours, excluding weekends and state or federal holidays. The court may issue a warrant for the arrest of a person charged with violating a condition of release, and the person shall be brought before the court for a proceeding in accordance with this section. The court shall enter an order of revocation and detention if, after a hearing, the court:
(a) Finds that there is:
(1) Probable cause to believe that the person has committed a federal, state, or local crime while on release; or
(2) Clear and convincing evidence that the person has violated any other condition of release or has violated a temporary or permanent protective order by conduct indicating a potential danger to another; and
(b) Finds that:
(1) There is no condition or combination of conditions of release that will assure that the person will not flee or that the person will not pose a danger to the safety of himself or any other person or the community; or
(2) The person is unlikely to abide by any condition or combination of conditions of release.
If there is probable cause to believe that, while on release, the person committed a federal or state felony, a rebuttable presumption arises that no condition or combination of conditions will assure that the person shall not pose a danger to the safety of any other person or the community. If the court finds that there are conditions of release that shall assure that the person will not flee or pose a danger to the safety of himself or any other person or the community, and that the person will abide by such conditions, he shall treat that person in accordance with the provisions of RSA 597:2 and may amend the conditions of release accordingly.
IV. The state may commence a prosecution for contempt if the person has violated a condition of his release.

Source. 1979, 377:6. 1988, 110:6. 1989, 386:7. 1993, 303:1. 1999, 229:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2000. 2002, 79:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2003. 2024, 317:5, 6, eff. Jan. 1, 2025. 2025, 3:5, 7, III, eff. Sept. 21, 2025. 2026, 237:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2027.