DOVER, Del. (AP) - A proposed constitutional amendment allowing bail to be denied for defendants charged with non-capital crimes has failed to clear the state House.
The bill fell three votes short of the required two-thirds majority in a House vote Wednesday, but there's a possibility it could be resurrected before the legislative session ends next week.
The amendment, supported by Attorney General Beau Biden, was defeated twice in the state Senate last June before being resurrected and passed in a little-noticed midnight vote on the final day of legislative session.
The proposed amendment is aimed at stopping the release of violent offenders who wind up being charged with more violent crimes after being released on bail.
Currently, bail can be denied only for first-degree murder.
