H 4139 Joint Resolution, By J.J. Bailey, R.S. Corning, Quinn and Scott
 A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to Section 14, Article I of the
 Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to the right of trial by jury
 and the rights of defendants in criminal cases, so as to authorize the General
 Assembly to provide for nonjury bench trials in cases at law when the amount
 in controversy is twenty-five thousand dollars or less.

   01/14/92  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-193
   01/14/92  House  Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-193

A JOINT RESOLUTION

PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 14, ARTICLE I OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895, RELATING TO THE RIGHT OF TRIAL BY JURY AND THE RIGHTS OF DEFENDANTS IN CRIMINAL CASES, SO AS TO AUTHORIZE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR NONJURY BENCH TRIALS IN CASES AT LAW WHEN THE AMOUNT IN CONTROVERSY IS TWENTY-FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS OR LESS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 14, Article I of the Constitution of this State be amended to read:

"Section 14. The right of trial by jury shall be is preserved inviolate. Any A person charged with an offense shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury; to be fully informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to be fully heard in his defense by himself or by his counsel or by both. The General Assembly may provide for nonjury bench trials in cases at law when the amount in controversy is twenty-five thousand dollars or less."

SECTION 2. The proposed amendment must be submitted to the qualified electors at the next general election for representatives. Ballots must be provided at the various voting precincts with the following words printed or written on the ballot:

"Must Section 14, Article I of the Constitution of this State relating to the right of trial by jury and the rights of defendants in criminal cases be amended so as to authorize the General Assembly to provide for nonjury bench trials in cases at law when the amount in controversy is twenty-five thousand dollars or less?

Those voting in favor of the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `Yes', and those voting against the question shall deposit a ballot with a check or cross mark in the square after the word `No'."