Baker files dangerousness bill in first move of second term

BOSTON — Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday that judges must be able to consider someone's full criminal record when deciding whether to release them on bail, reupping a court reform proposal that the governor believes could save lives.

Baker rolled out the bill, which he also filed last fall, at the Major City Chiefs of Police Association meeting in Everett, noting it's his first official legislative action of his second term, which began on Jan. 3.

The bill would not only allow judges to consider more than just the charges before them when making the decision to release a defendant, but it would also allow police to detain someone observed in violation of their orders of release without waiting for a warrant.

Baker said he believes "timing" is the main reason his bill didn't move last session. He filed it after the Legislature had ended formal sessions for the year.

The push to reform the dangerousness statutes came on the same day the Supreme Judicial Court ruled the state could not hold a suspect facing charges of statutory rape of a 14 year old for being a danger because it was not allowed under current law.

"When the criminal justice system fails to identify dangerous people who have committed serious crimes, our communities suffer," Baker said.

The police chiefs, who had been briefed on the legislation before the governor's arrival, stood and clapped for Baker when he finished his remarks.

"This is bringing common sense back to the judicial system, and now there are no excuses," said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross.

State House News Service