NCJ Number
46863
Date Published
1977
Length
1618 pages
Annotation
A TRANSCRIPT IS PROVIDED OF TESTIMONY RELATING TO CONGRESSIONAL LEGISLATIVE REFORM OF THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM.
Abstract
LEGAL HISTORIANS, ASSORTED JUDICIAL PERSONNEL, AND REPRESENTATIVES OF VARIOUS CIVIL RIGHTS, PROFESSIONAL, TRADE UNION, AND MEDIA ORGANIZATIONS TESTIFIED ON BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. THIS LEGISLATION IS DESIGNED TO WORK THE FOLLOWING REFORMS: PROVIDE PROCEDURAL DUE PROCESS IN INVESTIGATORY GRAND JURIES, WHILE AVOIDING DELAYS, OBSTRUCTIONS, OR INTERFERENCE WITH THE WORK OF THE GRAND JURY; INSURE THE INDEPENDENCE OF GRAND JURORS; INCREASE THE JUDICIAL SUPERVISION OF GRAND JURIES; PREVENT GRAND JURY LEAKS; AND INCREASE PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM. THE TESTIMONY IS PRESENTED IN TWO VOLUMES AND DEALS WITH GRAND JURY ABUSE, PARTICULARLY BY THE NIXON WHITE HOUSE; THE HISTORY OF THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM; THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF THE GRAND JURY SYSTEM; THE EFFECTIVE ROLES OF PROSECUTORS, WITNESSES, AND DEFENSE COUNSELS; AND THE SCOPE AND EFFECT OF THE PROPOSED REFORMS, BOTH AT THE NATIONAL AND STATE LEVELS. PROPOSED AND EXISTING LEGISLATION ARE REPRODUCED. BILLS, RESOLUTIONS, SUMMARIES AND COMPARISONS, CONGRESSIONAL RECORD INSERTS, SUBMISSIONS, NEWSPAPER ARTICLES, MEMORANDUMS, AND FEDERAL RULES OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE REGARDING GRAND JURY SECRECY AND DISCLOSURE ARE APPENDED. (KBL)