OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — The state House has endorsed a proposed constitutional amendment that would expand judges’ powers for denying bail.
The amendment was proposed by a law enforcement task force in response to the November shootings of four Lakewood police officers. The shooter had posted bail less than a week before the slayings.
Under current law, offenders can only be denied bail if they are accused of capital crimes. But under the bill approved Friday, judges could deny bail if the suspect is accused of a crime for which the maximum sentence is life without parole.
The constitutional amendment was approved by a vote of 80-17. It now heads to the Senate for further consideration, and voters would have the final say in November.
