Bill > S1151

This bill proposes establishing a special commission to comprehensively review and potentially eliminate the Grand Jury System in Massachusetts. The commission would investigate the utility and fairness of grand juries, noting that their effectiveness has been increasingly questioned in recent years, and drawing attention to the fact that grand juries have been largely discontinued in England and some other U.S. jurisdictions. The proposed commission would be broadly representative, including deans of Massachusetts law schools, constitutional officers, representatives from the judiciary, law enforcement, district attorneys, sheriffs, legal professionals, and legal reform advocates. The Governor and Attorney General would jointly appoint commission members, who would be tasked with holding at least five public hearings across different regions of the state, collecting historical and contemporary legal information, and producing a comprehensive report with findings and recommendations within 24 months. The bill emphasizes Massachusetts' historical role as a legal reform pioneer and seeks to critically examine whether the grand jury system, which originated in England, remains appropriate for the current justice system. The commission would specifically explore alternative legal mechanisms for bringing charges and evaluate the grand jury system's current practical and procedural effectiveness.

Justice

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S1151