DOVER, Del. (AP) - The Delaware House has resurrected and approved a proposed constitutional amendment allowing bail to be denied for defendants charged with non-capital crimes.
The bill fell three votes short of the required two-thirds majority in a Wednesday vote. That vote was rescinded Thursday, and the bill received one vote more than needed.
The amendment, supported by Attorney General Beau Biden, is aimed at stopping the release of violent offenders who wind up being charged with more violent crimes after being released on bail. Currently, bail can be denied only for first-degree murder.
The amendment must now be passed by both chambers in the next legislative session.
The proposal was defeated twice in the Senate last June before being resurrected and passed in a little-noticed midnight vote on the final day.
