New Hampshire lawmakers are considering changing how the state handles sexually-violent-predator cases after two offenders were freed because of missed deadlines for hearings and trials.
Prosecutors tried to have the men civilly committed under a new law that allows sex offenders likely to re-offend to be held past their prison sentences. But the men were released because a judge failed to act on the requests within 10 days.
The state’s top trial judge issued new rules Tuesday to prevent that from happening again, and the state Senate on Wednesday approved legislation aimed at ensuring that missed court deadlines will not result in the release of such offenders.
The bill now goes to the House.