H 3267 Session 111 (1995-1996)
H 3267 Joint Resolution, By J.L.M. Cromer
A Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to Section 22, Article V of the
Constitution of South Carolina, 1895, relating to grand and petit juries, so
as to provide that ten or more members instead of all twelve members of a
petit jury of the circuit court must agree to a verdict to render the same and
all jurors in any other trial court must agree to a verdict in order to render
the same unless otherwise provided by law.
01/17/95 House Introduced and read first time HJ-7
01/17/95 House Referred to Committee on Judiciary HJ-8
A JOINT RESOLUTION
PROPOSING AN AMENDMENT TO SECTION 22, ARTICLE V
OF THE CONSTITUTION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1895,
RELATING TO GRAND AND PETIT JURIES, SO AS TO
PROVIDE THAT TEN OR MORE MEMBERS INSTEAD OF
ALL TWELVE MEMBERS OF A PETIT JURY OF THE
CIRCUIT COURT MUST AGREE TO A VERDICT TO RENDER
THE SAME AND ALL JURORS IN ANY OTHER TRIAL
COURT MUST AGREE TO A VERDICT IN ORDER TO
RENDER THE SAME UNLESS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY
LAW.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South
Carolina:
SECTION 1. It is proposed that Section 22, Article V of the
Constitution of this State be amended to read:
"Section 22. The petit jury of the Circuit Court shall
consist of twelve members and the number of jurors of other courts
must be determined by law. Only ten or more members of the
petit jury of the Circuit Court must agree to a verdict in order to
render the same. All jurors in any other trial court
must agree to a verdict in order to render the same unless
otherwise provided by law. The grand jury of each county,
and the state grand jury, as the General Assembly may establish by
general law, shall consist of eighteen members, twelve of whom
must agree in a matter before it can be submitted to the court.
Each juror must be a resident of this State and have such other
qualifications as the General Assembly may prescribe."
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 22, Article V of the Constitution of this
State be amended so as to provide that only ten or more members
of the petit jury of the Circuit Court must agree to a verdict in
order to render the same and all jurors in any other trial court must
agree to a verdict in order to render the same unless otherwise
provided by law?
Yes []
No []
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'."
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