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SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1380 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1031
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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PRESENTED BY:
Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:
The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
resolve:
Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System.
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PETITION OF:
NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Lawrence Dixon60 Lake Street Unit N, Winchester MA
01890 1 of 3
SENATE DOCKET, NO. 1380 FILED ON: 1/19/2023
SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1031
By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1031) of Vincent
Lawrence Dixon that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission
to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System. The Judiciary.
[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE SENATE, NO. 1079 OF 2021-2022.]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Third General Court
(2023-2024)
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Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System.
1 Resolved, to review, consider, evaluate, and/or replace, the Grand Jury System as is
2known, and to establish a suitable body and/or Special Commission to consider this matter.
3 Over many years, the utility, and fairness, of the Grand Jury System, has been called into
4question. Recent events in various local area locations, states, and other jurisdictions have further
5raised questions as to its proper role, if any, in a properly functioning system of justice.
6 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having been a pioneer in reform of various legal
7procedures, should consider such changes as are appropriate in this area.
8 It has been suggested that since the Grand Jury System originated in England and/or
9Great Britain, that we are influenced by it. Thus, the apparent fact that its use in England, and/or
10Great Britain has apparently been largely ended, should raise questions, as to whether we 2 of 3
11 continue to use it ourselves. Other jurisdictions, across The United States, have also
12eliminated the use of Grand Juries, at least in their present form, and this further suggests the
13need for analysis as to their use.
14 A Special Commission shall be established by this Resolve, and/or additional suitable
15legislation, to investigate, and recommend, appropriate actions, and reforms.
16 Upon the establishment of a suitable Special Commission, it should consider relevant
17alternative legal mechanisms, including examining available data, and information, as to result,
18results; and streamlined processes by which appropriate charges may, and/or must be brought to
19 Courts, by appropriate standards.
20 Membership of such a Commission, shall include the Dean of each Law School, in
21Massachusetts, or their designee; the Constitutional Officers of Massachusetts, or their
22designees; at least one (1) individual appropriate representative each, of the Judiciary, Law
23Enforcement including District Attorneys, and Sheriffs, members of the general law profession,
24representatives of constituencies, particularly concerned with the legal process such as legal
25defenders, and legal reformers; and other relevant individuals. The Commission, shall select
26 a Chair, and a Vice Chair, from the membership of the body, and shall be authorized to
27expend reasonable expenses, to accomplish their responsibilities.
28 The Governor, and the Attorney General, shall be the Co-Appointing individuals, for the
29members of this Commission.
30 This Commission shall hold public hearings, at no less than five (5) distinct locations,
31including the Capital City of Boston, and four other regional locations, and collect useful 3 of 3
32information, including that of historical legal development; shall make general findings, useful
33analysis, and specific recommendations. Since these matters are important, a timely report
34should be issued within twenty-four (24) months, from the completion of the appointments of its
35members.