AR SB512

Courts may issue no contact orders to defendants at or after arraignment if there is danger the defendant will commit a serious crime, intimidate a witness, or unlawfully interfere with justice administration.

No contact orders can prohibit defendants from contacting protected persons directly or indirectly, approaching certain geographical areas, possessing dangerous weapons, or ingesting alcohol or drugs, and may require court supervision.

No contact orders remain in effect until modified or terminated by the court, and all terms must be provided to the defendant in writing with explanation of penalties for violation.

Defendants have 24 hours (or 48 hours if violation occurs on Friday or holiday) to be detained after violating an order, during which the prosecutor must file a petition to revoke the defendant's bond; defendants are entitled to a hearing within 48-72 hours.

Courts may extend no contact orders for up to one year beyond sentencing if necessary to protect safety; violation of a no contact order upon conviction is a Class A misdemeanor.