Photo by William Tauro

By Bob Katzen

The Judiciary held a hearing on a bill that would raise from 65 years old to 75 years old the age at which a person can take advantage of the state’s Speedy Trial Law.

“Our judicial system here in the commonwealth is equipped with a tool called ‘Speedy Trials’ to allow those considered ‘near death’ to have their matters heard before the court without delay,” said the bill’s sponsor Rep. Shawn Dooley (R-Norfolk). “While this is a sensible policy to make sure our elders do not spend their twilight years in a legal limbo, this statute is in need of a little updating.”

Supporters of the hike to 75 say that 65 is no longer considered “near death.” They argue that according to the Social Security Administration, because of advances in research, technology and medicine that have expanded life expectancy, a man reaching age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 84, and a woman until age 86.