Oregon Public Broadcasting

The Washington State Senate has unanimously approved a constitutional amendment on bail.

It would allow judges to withhold bail in more than just capital murder cases.

The House and Senate were deadlocked over the details. But Thursday the governor helped broker a compromise: the Senate agreed to House's broader list of crimes that could result in a judge denying bail.

In return, Senate Judiciary Chair Adam Kline, a Seattle Democrat, was able to insert language designed to protect civil liberties.

It says that before a judge withholds bail, there must be clear and convincing evidence the defendant is prone to violence and poses a threat to public safety.

Adam Kline: "Clear and convincing evidence means evidence that is articulable. That is not simply a judge's hunch: this guy looks serious, he's got a scowl on his face, he's a big guy, maybe he's a different race."

The constitutional amendment is called the Lakewood Police Officers Memorial Act. It stems from the murders of four Lakewood officers last November in a coffee shop.

The constitutional amendment now heads to the House. Once it clears the legislature it would go on Washington's November ballot for voter approval.

Debate in the Senate was briefly interrupted by a student protest over cuts to higher education.