STATE OF MAINE
SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT

 

LEIGH SAUFLEY MAILING ADDRESS:
JUSTICE Cumberland County Courthouse
205 Newbury Street, Room 139
MarCh 15 a 2016 Portland, ME 04101?4125

Tel. (207) 8224286
Fax (207) 8224202

. Maine Judicial Center
The Honorable Davrd C. Burns, Chair 65 Stone Street
. Augusta, ME 04330
The Honorable Barry J. Hobbins, Chair Ta. (207) 287?6950
. . . . . Fax (207) 287?4641
Jo1nt on Judlclary 
State House, ROom  chiefjustice@courts.maine.gov

Augusta, Maine 04333

Dear Senator Burns, Representative Hobbins, and Honorable Members of the Joint
Standing Committee on Judiciary:

Pending before you is L.D. 1639. Among the proposals contained in the bill
is a provision that would shift the cost of Bail Commissioners from individuals
charged with a crime to the Judicial Branch. The Branch has estimated the cost of
that proposal at roughly $1.5 million dollars. Those funds are not currently
available within the Judicial Branch and would need to be allocated from the
General Fund in order for the proposal to be effectuated.

Recognizing the need for change in the bail process and the Bail
Commissioner system, and understanding that the cost estimates and the logistics
of such a change would bene?t from further review, I propose to create a Working
Group to address the challenges of the current bail system. I would anticipate that
the Working Group will begin its review this spring.

I would be pleased to share the results and any proposals from that Working
Group with the 128th Maine Legislature as soon as they are available.

As always, it is an honor to work collaboratively with the Legislative
Branch.

Sincerely,

 
  

1ef Justice

 

LIS:ajm