HB 5199

Amends the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963. Provides that if the State files a petition seeking to deny the defendant pretrial release and a continuance on the hearing concerning the petition is requested, the court has the sole discretion to grant or deny the request for a continuance. Provides that under no circumstances shall a continuance be granted that would result in the defendant being detained in pretrial detention for longer than 72 hours since the defendant's initial detention. Provides that in making its determination to deny or grant the request for continuance, the court shall consider, in addition to other facts and evidence available to the court, whether there is evidence that reasonable steps have been taken to appear within the initial time frame provided under the provision, but that due to circumstances outside the control of the requesting party, a continuance is necessary to present a fuller case.