Connecticut Senate Bill SB00680

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/13
• Refer: 1/25/13

Caption

An Act Concerning The Grand Jury Process.

Impact

The proposed reforms would facilitate greater collaboration and communication between the grand jury and the state's attorney during investigative scenarios. This includes empowering the grand jury to approve investigative subpoenas, thus granting them a more active role in the investigative process. The changes are anticipated to improve the effectiveness of grand jury investigations and potentially expedite the resolution of cases that require such scrutiny.

Summary

SB00680, proposed by Senator McKinney, aims to reform the grand jury process within the general statutes. The bill introduces significant changes that are designed to streamline the operations of grand juries and enhance their cooperation with the state's attorney. Key provisions include allowing a single presiding judge to empanel a grand jury on the request of the state's attorney, which is intended to simplify the initiation of grand jury proceedings and make them more efficient.

Contention

However, there may be points of contention surrounding the extent of the proposed authority granted to the state's attorney. Critics could argue that these changes may lead to an erosion of checks and balances within the judicial process, where the grand jury might become overly reliant on the state's attorney's requests. Balancing the need for efficiency in grand jury proceedings against the preservation of independence and impartiality within the judiciary will likely be a focus of debate among lawmakers and legal experts.