The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-05-03
The Grand Jury System-How its Abol-
ition Works in Michigan.

Some eight years ago the ancient and
time honored institution of the Grand Jury
was practically abolished in the state Of
Michigan. Such juries are no longer re-
quired to present bills of indictment in the
state courts, but criminals are arrested, ex-
amined and tried upon Information" filed
by the prosecuting attorneys of the differ
cnt counties. The Grand July is thus in
effect wholly dispensed with. The result
has been to save large expenditure to the
people, to expedite justice, and to make all
court proceedings public. Attorney Ger
eral WILLIAMS Of that state, in recent re-
port, submits the following remarks in re-
lation to the working of the present system:
"A tribunal that sits in the dark and se-
cret places like the Grand Jury.) carefully
avoiding light, with its proceedings wrap
ped in mystery, and holding an inquisition
upon whomsoever it will, and with but one
ear hears accusations, and then, in mock
and ignorant soemnity, jpdicially declares
men .'telons, without notice or opportun-
lty to them to be heard in anywise in self
defense, Is truly not in harmony with the
spirit or genius of our governmental sys-
tenn, or the age; and should be entirely
and forever thrust aside An arrest or a
warrant issued by, and an examination had
before justice of the peace, the justice
nndlng from the testimony elected on the
examination that the crime alleged has
been committed, and that there is probably
cause to hclieye the accused guilty thereof:
certifying such testimony, finding and all
tal
proper Circuit Court this testimony, find
ing a1d papers then becoming the founda-
ton tor the prosecuting attorney to make
and file in that court an Information" upon
tor the same offense and no other, and upon
which information the accused is arraigned
and tried, In all respects as upon bill of
indictment, the accused at each step of the
proceedings having an opportunity, aided
| by witnesses and counsel if desired, to de-
fend himself submit that, with such
| system for the trial of persons charged
| with felonies, none but the guilty need be
| alarmed; and, surely it may well command
the good judgment and appreciation of all.
| And the best evidence, to my mind, of It's
wisdom, is that, in this state, grand juries,
! OF late have very, Gerry seldom been called !;
and that, during the two years Twas prose
| cutting attorney of my own county, and the
tour years next thereafter that [ had the
honor Df being tn Attorney Generalo of the
| state, no complaint came to me. or as far
as l know or believe anywhere existed, on
the part of any one, of the abuse of this
information system. A great saving of
expense to the people, open and ingenious,
| working always in the very sight of the ac-
| cused and the people, characterized no
obscure or unfair proceeding, attended by
no unusal or unnecessary delay, and allow
ing the largest liberty, at each step, forcom-
plete defense or extenuation on the part of
the accused, it is now impossible, tested as
it has been by almost eiehtjyears experience,
and with the result above stated, to do 9TH
erwise thsn insist that it is no longer an ex-
pertinent, but eof the fixed, wisest and
best features of our criminal law and as
such, to heartily, confidently and proudly
! commend 1t to all anxious enc uirers after
judicial reform. Carefully framed as this
act was, to accomplish SO great and valuable
an end, it will, as it should, become proud
monument of the wisdom and foresight
which characterize the ever early unmis-
taken march of intelligent and enterprising
people of our fair Peninsula, to the very
front of improvement and civilization.
Frequently called upon from abroad, by en-
inent gentlemen, for knowledge as to the
workings of this our Information system,
and knowing the deep interest taken in it
by the people of the State, am convinced
that statement by me, at this time, of
the foregoing views, is both needed and
justified -
The Detroit Post, in which we find the
above extract, adds it's testimony in favor
of the new system. 1t says that the views
expressed by the Attorney General respect
ing it are, in its opinion, unanimously con-
CURED in by the bar, the press, and the
people of Michigan, and it expresses the
belief that other States cannot do better
than to follow the example and abolish the
Grand Jury.