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PS 703

“Para enmendar la Regla 64(n) acápites (3) y (4) de las Reglas de Procedimiento Criminal, según enmendadas, a los fines de aclarar que los términos provistos para la celebración del juicio en su fondo comenzarán a contar desde la determinación de causa para arresto en los delitos menos grave o determinación de causa para acusar en vista preliminar en los delitos graves

2025-2028 Session

Amends Rule 64(n)(3)-(4) to start speedy-trial clocks at arrest-probable-cause for misdemeanors and at preliminary-hearing probable cause for felonies, reducing timing disputes.

Referido a Comisión(es)
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Bill Summary · PS 703

Summary — PS 703 (introduced 21 Aug 2025)

Title (short): Amendment to Rule 64(n)(3) & (4) of the Rules of Criminal Procedure — clarify when the time periods for holding the trial on the merits begin to run.

Purpose / Intent

PS 703 would amend subsections (3) and (4) of Regla 64(n) (Rules of Criminal Procedure, as amended) to clarify the trigger point for calculating the statutory time periods within which a trial on the merits must be held. The bill specifies that those time periods begin to run from:
- the "determinación de causa para arresto" (determination of probable cause for arrest) in lesser (misdemeanor or less-serious) offenses; and
- the "determinación de causa para acusar en vista preliminar" (determination of probable cause to charge at the preliminary hearing) in serious (felony) offenses.

The change is intended to remove ambiguity about when the speedy-trial clock starts.

Key provisions

  • Amend Regla 64(n) acápites (3) y (4) to state explicitly that the calculation of the time periods for holding trial on the merits begins at:
    • determination of probable cause for arrest for lesser offenses, and
    • determination of probable cause to charge at the preliminary hearing for serious offenses.
  • No other substantive changes to the content of Rule 64(n) are described in the bill text/summary provided.

Who would be affected

  • Criminal defendants — clarifies when the defendant’s right to a timely trial begins to accrue.
  • Prosecutors and defense counsel — affects timing for charging, preliminary hearings, and trial scheduling; may reduce disputes about computation of deadlines.
  • Courts and clerks — will apply the clarified starting points when resolving motions (e.g., motions to dismiss for violation of time limits) and scheduling trials.
  • Persons in pretrial custody — the clarified start dates could affect the length of pretrial detention subject to speedy-trial considerations.

Practical impact / implications

  • Reduces litigation over when the statutory clock begins, promoting more predictable scheduling.
  • May shorten or lengthen the practical time available to prosecutors or defense depending on prior interpretations — outcomes depend on how courts previously applied the rule.
  • Could increase motions arguing that the clock was triggered (or not) at the clarified events, at least during a transition period.

Procedural status / timeline

  • Introduced (Radicado): 21 Aug 2025
  • First Senate reading and referral to committee: 25 Aug 2025
  • 1st Committee Report issued with amendments: 13 Nov 2025 (1er Informe Comisión rendido con enmiendas); report entered and bill remitted to the Senate Rules and Calendar Committee the same day.
  • Current status: Remitted to the Comisión de Reglas y Calendario del Senado; pending further committee action or floor scheduling.

(Classification: bill — PS 703)

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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