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House Judiciary hears bill to modernize Montana jury notice and summons process
Summary
Proponents including clerks, sheriffs and the attorney general told the House Judiciary Committee that House Bill 194 would modernize jury notices and reduce burdens on sheriffs and clerks; the public defender raised concerns the language could eliminate remedies when statutes are not substantially complied with.
Representative Amy Regier, sponsor of House Bill 194, opened the House Judiciary hearing by saying the bill would "modernize Montana's jury notification and summons process, reduce unnecessary burdens on Montana's justice system, and promote efficiency in government." Proponents from county clerks, sheriff's offices and the attorney general's office described long-standing operational difficulties under the existing statutes.
Amy McGhee, Clerk of District Court in Missoula, told the committee Missoula draws about 16,500 names for its annual jury pool and runs roughly 90 panels a year, with "an average of 150 people per panel," and said current law is confusing on when questionnaires must be returned. She described the bill's core change as allowing clerks flexibility to send the…
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