The state Bail Reform and Speed Trial Act came into effect in Hudson County's Central Judicial Processing court where bail bonds workers watched as not one monetary bail was set under the new rules, which assume most defendants will be released pending prosecution.

All defendants facing criminal charges in Hudson County make their first court appearance in CJP which was held yesterday on the New Year's holiday because the new Bail Reform law requires defendants make their first court appearance within 48 hours of their arrest.

CJP was to begin at 1 p.m. yesterday but did not start until about 1:45 p.m. as court officials worked out the details of the new law and because officials at the Hudson County jail in Kearny said they were not aware the court would be open.

The seven defendants who appeared did so via video link from the jail.

Usually the public defender is in the courtroom but the top two public defenders in the county argued on behalf of their clients from inside the jail video conferencing room yesterday afternoon. The hearings took more than twice as long as they had under the old rules.

One defendant, Sai Ravipati, 22, of New York, appeared in court on the charge of aggravated assault using a pipe in Jersey City on New Year's Day.

The third degree crime calls for a sentence of three to five years in prison if convicted and under the old guidelines, a bail of $20,000 to $50,000 with a 10 percent cash option was recommended.

But Pretrial Services had assessed Ravipati to be a low risk of failing to appear at court hearings and of committing another crime. He also has no priors.

Based on the Pretrial Services recommendation, he was released on his own recognizance, ordered to appear at all hearings in his case and to immediately give notice if his contact information changes.

On the other hand, prosecutors requested that Thomas M. Campbell, 52, of Jersey City, be held without bail on charges he attempted to murder someone with a sword in Jersey City.

The charge carries a possible prison sentence of 10 to 20 years upon conviction.

The case must now go before a Superior Court judge within 72 hours where the state must show probable cause for the charges, provide extensive discovery and call witnesses that can be cross-examined.

The judge can order the defendant held without bail if it is determined that there is no condition or combination of conditions that can be imposed to insure Campbell is not a threat to the public, will show up for his court hearing and will not be a threat to any witness.

The state also requested the detention of a second defendant who appeared in CJP yesterday on the charge of making terroristic threats, contempt of court and violation of restraining order in connection to a Kearny incident on Jan. 17.

Bail bonds workers have feared the day bail reform would be imposed and there are attempts being made to block them.

CJP court will also be held on Saturdays from now on. The new law came into effect yesterday.