Bill Text: NH SB58 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relative to venue in criminal cases.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Republican 9-2)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-02-12 - Committee Report: Ought to Pass with Amendment # 2025-0377s, 03/06/2025; Vote 5-0; Consent Calendar; Senate Calendar 11 [SB58 Detail]
Download: New_Hampshire-2025-SB58-Introduced.html
SB 58-FN - AS INTRODUCED
2025 SESSION
25-1017
09/11
SENATE BILL 58-FN
AN ACT relative to venue in criminal cases.
SPONSORS: Sen. Pearl, Dist 17; Sen. Lang, Dist 2; Sen. Reardon, Dist 15; Sen. Innis, Dist 7; Sen. Rochefort, Dist 1; Sen. Watters, Dist 4; Sen. Murphy, Dist 16; Rep. Moffett, Merr. 4; Rep. Seaworth, Merr. 12; Rep. Wood, Merr. 13; Rep. Aures, Merr. 13
COMMITTEE: Judiciary
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ANALYSIS
This bill broadens criminal venue to allow for prosecution in the county or judicial district where an element of the offense occurred in situations where all of the elements of the offense do not occur in one county or judicial district.
This bill is a request of the office of the Merrimack county attorney.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
25-1017
09/11
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty Five
AN ACT relative to venue in criminal cases.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Venue; Parts of Offense in More Than One County. Amend RSA 602:1 to read as follows:
602:1 Parts of Offense in More Than One County, etc. Offenders shall be prosecuted and tried in the county or judicial district thereof in which the offense was committed. But if any person is feloniously stricken, wounded or poisoned in one county or judicial district thereof and dies thereof in another, or if parts of an offense are committed or different elements of the offense occur in more than one county or judicial district thereof, the offense shall be deemed to have been committed, the offender may be prosecuted, and the trial may be had in either county or judicial district thereof.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect January 1, 2026.
25-1017
1/8/25
SB 58-FN- FISCAL NOTE
AS INTRODUCED
AN ACT relative to venue in criminal cases.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The Legislative Budget Assistant has determined that this legislation has a total fiscal impact of less than $10,000 in each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2028.
AGENCIES CONTACTED:
Judicial Branch and Judicial Council
