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House repeals rarely used "one‑man" grand jury provision in criminal procedure code
Summary
Lawmakers voted to repeal the one‑man grand jury provision in Michigan law, a change supporters said preserves due process; the measure passed the House by a wide margin.
The Michigan House on June 11 passed House Bill 4434, a bill to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure by repealing Michigan’s one‑man grand jury provision. Representative Meerman, sponsor of the measure, argued the provision is antiquated and concentrates investigatory power in a single judge, undermining fairness. “Its use in the court system violates the principles of fairness and impartiality,” Meerman said on the floor.
Supporters said repealing the provision preserves due process without impeding prosecutors’ ability to bring charges under the remainder of the code. The clerk announced final passage with 74 yeas and 35 nays. The majority floor leader moved for immediate effect and the chamber ordered it.
The bill’s text removes the one‑man grand jury mechanism from state criminal procedure; floor remarks emphasized the change as a modernization to align practice with due‑process principles. The measure will proceed to enrollment and further steps required before becoming law.
