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Grand jury reform proposals draw opposition from prosecutors at criminal justice committee
Summary
Proposed changes to grand jury practice including witness transcription/recording and limits on 'representment' drew sustained opposition from county prosecutors and district attorneys, who warned about costs, logistics and chilling effects on juror questions and victim willingness to testify.
The Committee on Criminal Justice took testimony on House Bill 36,64, a proposal that would require prospective grand jurors to complete training, require transcription (or preservation) of witness testimony before a grand jury, and limit circumstances under which a case can be re-presented to a subsequent grand jury. Sponsor Senator Huffman outlined intentions to strengthen grand-jury procedures and preserve key evidence.
Elected district attorneys and prosecutors from across Texas urged caution and opposed several provisions in the committee substitute as drafted. Jarvis…
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