Connecticut House Bill HB05634

Connecticut 2016 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/16/16
• Refer: 3/16/16

Caption

An Act Concerning The Costs Of Extraditing Fugitives.

Impact

The bill will amend existing laws governing the actions of bail bond agents and introduce new financial obligations for them. Specifically, it requires surety bail bond agents and professional bondsmen to pay an annual fee to contribute to the newly established extradition account. This change stands to directly affect the bail bond industry by enforcing compliance and possibly ensuring that the state has adequate resources to manage extradition efforts. The legislation seeks to improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system in dealing with fugitives while ensuring that costs related to these extradition processes have a designated source of funding.

Summary

House Bill 05634, titled 'An Act Concerning The Costs Of Extraditing Fugitives,' proposes the establishment of a dedicated fund, the criminal justice bail bonds extradition account, aimed at offsetting the costs associated with extraditing fugitives who fail to appear in court. The legislation directs the Division of Criminal Justice to utilize funds from this account for returning fugitives who abscond on bail bonds, thereby facilitating their prosecution within the state.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention regarding the implications of this bill on the rights of defendants and their treatment within the criminal justice system. Critics could argue that emphasizing the financial mechanisms behind extradition may lead to an undue emphasis on punishment over rehabilitation or fairness. Furthermore, the requirement for bail bond agents to pay a fee may raise concerns about the financial burdens placed on them, which could inadvertently shift the costs to the individuals they serve.