HB 1858 -- POWER TO DISMISS CHARGES

SPONSOR:  Lipke

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Crime Prevention and Public Safety by a vote of 12 to 0.

This bill authorizes the prosecuting or circuit attorney to
dismiss a complaint, information, or indictment without the
consent of the court.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that prosecutors currently have the
ability to dismiss and re-file cases without prejudice.  The bill
codifies what is currently common practice among prosecutors to
eliminate any confusion.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Lipke; and Eric Zahnd
and Bob McCulloch, Missouri Association of Prosecuting Attorneys.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Kristina Jenkins, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:44 am