In New Hampshire, bail reform continues to go awry. The latest incident has Governor Chris Sununu calling specifically for a change to the new law. The reason? Teacher’s Aid Adam Jones, accused of possession of child sexual abuse images, was released on personal recognizance pending his trial. Sununu thinks this should not stand.
Jones was arraigned on two charges this week, and while prosecutors did their best to keep him in jail as he awaits trial, but the new bail reform law appears to have gotten in the way.
Sununu actually signed the new bill into law last year, but was aghast at this most recent development. Noted the governor:
“We have to really take a look at it again. I have a lot of concerns with it going forward.”
Even as Sununu is suggesting changes, state senators Jeb Bradley, a Republican, and Martha Hennessey, a Democrat, are making suggestions for change that would allow judges to order defendants held under additional circumstances, especially in cases where the defendant may pose an obvious risk to the community.
Sununu added:
Absolutely it has to be revisited. We have to close these loopholes and understand the true impacts of this legislation and how it is potentially letting people out or simply just not working for the system, so I very much encourage the Legislature to come back, work with us and close these loopholes and find just a better solution for the state.
The New Hampshire Association of Chiefs of Police has also come out against the new law.