Missouri Abolition of Grand Juries Amendment (2016)
| Abolition of Grand Juries Amendment | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Amendment |
| Origin | Missouri legislature |
| Topic | Civil and criminal trials |
| Status | Not on the ballot |
| Not on Ballot |
|---|
 |
| This measure was not put on an election ballot |
The Missouri Abolition of Grand Juries Amendment did not make the November 8, 2016 ballot in Missouri as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. The measure, upon voter approval, would have abolished grand juries in Missouri. The measure would have removed grand juries from Section 16 of Article I of the Missouri Constitution.[1]
The proposed amendment was introduced into the Missouri Legislature by Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-22) as House Joint Resolution 17.[2]
Text of measure
Constitutional changes
- See also: Article I, Missouri Constitution
The proposed amendment would have repealed Section 16 of Article I of the Missouri Constitution. The following text would have been deleted by the proposed measure's approval:[1]
Background
House Joint Resolution 17 was proposed following the shooting of Michael Brown, an eighteen-year old black man, and the lack of indictment by a grand jury against white police officer Darren Wilson.[4]
Support
Rep. Brandon Ellington (D-22), chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus, explained his reasoning for proposing the amendment, saying, "Missourians should have the chance to consider whether the antiquated grand jury process still serves a legitimate purpose in our modern criminal justice system."[4]
Opposition
Platte County Prosecutor Eric Zahnd argued against the amendment, noting, "Our nation’s founders thought the grand jury was so important that they enshrined it in the Bill of Rights. It is one of the bedrocks of the criminal justice system that we shouldn’t tamper with."[4]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Missouri Constitution
Either chamber of the Missouri General Assembly is allowed to propose an amendment. A majority of members of both chambers must approve it; if they do, the proposed amendment goes on a statewide election ballot for a popular vote of the people.
The legislature did not take action on the bill; therefore, it will not be on the ballot.[5]
See also
External links
Additional reading
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Missouri House of Representatives, "HJR 17 Text," accessed January 20, 2015
- ↑ Missouri House of Representatives, "HJR 17 Status," accessed January 20, 2015
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 The Kansas City Star, "Missouri lawmaker wants to abolish grand jury system," January 19, 2015
- ↑ Missouri House of Representatives, "Activity history for HJR 17," accessed May 13, 2016
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State of Missouri Jefferson City (capital) |
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