Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Massachusetts Senate Bill S1151 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

Old	New	Differences
1	1	1 of 1
2	2	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 900 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
3	3	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1151
4	4	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
5	5	_________________
6	6	PRESENTED BY:
7	7	Jason M. Lewis, (BY REQUEST)
8	8	_________________
9	9	To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
10	10	Court assembled:
11	11	The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying
12	12	resolve:
13	13	Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System.
14	14	_______________
15	15	PETITION OF:
16	16	NAME:DISTRICT/ADDRESS :Vincent Dixon60 Lake St Apt N Winchester MA 01890 1 of 3
17	17	SENATE DOCKET, NO. 900 FILED ON: 1/15/2025
18	18	SENATE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 1151
19	19	By Mr. Lewis (by request), a petition (accompanied by resolve, Senate, No. 1151) of Vincent
20	20	Dixon, that provisions be made for an investigation and study by a special commission to
21	21	review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System. The Judiciary.
22	22	[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
23	23	SEE SENATE, NO. 1031 OF 2023-2024.]
24	24	The Commonwealth of Massachusetts
25	25	_______________
26	26	In the One Hundred and Ninety-Fourth General Court
27	27	(2025-2026)
28	28	_______________
29	29	Resolve for a commission to review, replace, and eliminate the Grand Jury System.
30	30	1 Resolved, 1.) A Resolve to review, consider, evaluate, and/or replace, the Grand Jury
31	31	2System as is known, and to establish a suitable body and/or Special Commission to consider this
32	32	3matter.
33	33	4 2.) Over many years, the utility, and fairness, of the Grand Jury System, has been called
34	34	5into question. Recent events in various local area locations, states, and other jurisdictions have
35	35	6further raised questions as to its proper role, if any, in a properly functioning system of justice.
36	36	7 3.) The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, having been a pioneer in reform of various
37	37	8legal procedures, should consider such changes as are appropriate in this area.
38	38	9 4.) It has been suggested that since the Grand Jury System originated in England and/or
39	39	10Great Britain, that we are influenced by it. Thus, the apparent fact that its use in England, and/or 2 of 3
40	40	11Great Britain has apparently been largely ended, should raise questions, as to whether we
41	41	12continue to use it ourselves.
42	42	13 Other jurisdictions, across The United States, have also eliminated the use of Grand
43	43	14Juries, at least in their present form, and this further suggests the need for analysis as to their use.
44	44	15 5.) A Special Commission shall be established by this Resolve, and/or additional suitable
45	45	16legislation, to investigate, and recommend, appropriate actions, and reforms.
46	46	17 6.) Upon the establishment of a suitable Special Commission, it should consider relevant
47	47	18alternative legal mechanisms, including examining available data, and information, as to result,
48	48	19results; and streamlined processes by which appropriate charges may, and/or must be brought to
49	49	20Courts, by appropriate standards.
50	50	21 7.) Membership of such a Commission, shall include the Dean of each Law School, in
51	51	22Massachusetts, or their designee; the Constitutional Officers of Massachusetts, or their
52	52	23designees; at least one (1) individual appropriate representative each, of the Judiciary, Law
53	53	24Enforcement including District Attorneys, and Sheriffs, members of the general law profession,
54	54	25representatives of constituencies, particularly concerned with the legal process such as legal
55	55	26defenders, and legal reformers; and other relevant individuals. The Commission, shall select a
56	56	27Chair, and a Vice Chair, from the membership of the body, and shall be authorized to expend
57	57	28reasonable expenses, to accomplish their responsibilities.
58	58	29 8.) The Governor, and the Attorney General, shall be the Co-Appointing individuals, for
59	59	30the members of this Commission. 3 of 3
60	60	31 9.) This Commission shall hold public hearings, at no less than five (5) distinct locations,
61	61	32including the Capital City of Boston, and four other regional locations, and collect useful
62	62	33information, including that of historical legal development; shall make general findings, useful
63	63	34analysis, and specific recommendations. Since these matters are important, a timely report
64	64	35should be issued within twenty-four (24) months, from the completion of the appointments of its
65	65	36members.