Despite Attorney General Beau Biden’s pending departure, at least one of his current initiatives may continue under new leadership.
Biden has been pushing a constitutional amendment that would expand the number of crimes for which judges could withhold bail from defendants.
It barely passed each chamber over the past year, being defeated three times before garnering the needed support. Concerns about a defendant’s right to bail surfaced from more liberal lawmakers, which were eventually overruled.
Ted Kittila, who’s seeking the GOP nomination, says it’s another necessary tool for prosecutors.
“As Attorney General, I would want this. I would want the discretion," said Kittila. "People know exactly who’s committing these crimes. They don’t want repeat offenders out on the streets.”
Kittila added this could be one solution to solving Wilmington’s crime problem.
“I hope it also gives the judge a lot more discretion to make a determination when certain individuals that are accused of pretty violent crimes should also not be allowed on the street," said Kittila. "I think this is absolutely necessary right now.”
On the Democratic side, Lt. Gov. Matt Denn said in statement that the amendment may be part of the discussion, but not the whole discussion.
The amendment still has to be approved unchanged at some point during the next General Assembly to take effect.
