The New Hampshire Supreme Court announced Monday that a state law designed to streamline felony cases will take effect in every county by fall 2017.
The law is already in effect in superior courts in Cheshire, Strafford and Belknap counties. It will next rollout in Merrimack and Carroll counties Jan. 1, followed by Coos and Grafton counties April 1 and Hillsborough County’s two superior courts Sept. 1. The counties of Rockingham and Sullivan will come on board Oct. 1.
Under the program, called Felonies First, more serious criminal cases are funneled right to the superior court level, skipping lower courts entirely. The lower courts don’t have the authority to rule on felony cases.
Those cases have traditionally been filed in the circuit courts and then forwarded to the superior courts following probable cause hearings. Felonies First eliminates that automatic hearing. The defense can still request one at the superior court level, but a judge must rule on whether it’s warranted.