General Assembly; right against self-incrimination be limited to criminal cases; provide - CA
Impact
If passed, this amendment will adjust the existing constitutional protections regarding self-incrimination in Georgia. Supporters of the bill argue that limiting the right to criminal cases will clarify the scope of the law, reducing confusion about its application across different legal contexts. With this change, any applicable case law from federal courts regarding self-incrimination would be applied to similar provisions in Georgia law upon ratification.
Summary
House Resolution 321 proposes an amendment to the Constitution of the State of Georgia to limit the right against self-incrimination specifically to criminal cases. This legislative change aims to align the state's constitutional provision regarding self-incrimination with that of the Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution. The intention is to establish a clearer legal framework regarding this right, which has been a point of discussion in legal spheres and among lawmakers.
Contention
The proposed amendment could ignite debates surrounding individuals' rights within and outside of criminal proceedings. For some, the shift in how self-incrimination is defined may raise alarms about the potential implications for civil cases or other legal scenarios where individuals might have relied on broader protections. Critics of the bill may argue that this limitation could undermine individual rights and create scenarios where individuals might feel compelled to testify against themselves without adequate constitutional safeguards.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.