Holyoke's top cop to push legislation

HOLYOKE, Mass (WWLP) - Massachusetts judges can serve for life. But Holyoke's top cop wants that to change.

Chief Anthony Scott has long been a strong critic of the state's judiciary system and judges who set low bail for criminal suspects.

That's why he wants judges to be accountable to the public. "People will look at their record which will be published in court, in the newspaper and online and if they're good and they haven't done anything stupid people will say let's certify him."

Westfield Senator Michael Knapik filed legislation that would allow voters to recertify judges every 6 years if they win a majority vote.

If the judge chooses not to have his or her name on the ballot or fails to win voter support, then they will not be eligible for reappointment.

Chief Scott also supports a new bill to increase penalties for court no-shows.

He says the Holyoke Police Department has some 8,000 pending arrest warrants, 6,000 of which are for people who failed to appear in court.

Currently, the fee is $75.

Scott is also pushing legislation to eliminate the presumption for personal recognizance for certain defendants.