The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-08-18
LEGAL REFORMS
ARE DEVISED
MEMBERS OF STATE BAR WOULD
HASTEN TRIALS AND RAISE
STANDARD OF TALESMEN.

Guthrie, Okla, Aug. 17.-Growing
out of the national agitation at the
present time for considerable
change IN the court system of the
country, and following thorough
investigation of conditions In this
state, the committee on reform of
procedure of the State Bar associa-
ton has recently filed "a report rec
ONE nding many reforms. William
Hooker of Purcell is president OF
the association and he will direct
the campaign to have the commit
tees recommendation enacted into
law.
Every proposition recommended by
the committee tends to hasten the
trial of both criminal and civil cases
cutting out the many delays that are
now taken advantage Of. The rec
concentrations raise the standard not
only of the juries, but also of at
torneys and numerous points of pro-
cedure that are now fought out
through demurrers and answers are
left to the discretion of the presid-
ing Judge. The committee urges
that all the following reforms be en-
acted into law:
/. An indictment of information
should be short and simple. 1t
should state briefly the nature of
the crime and only such facts as
are necessary. (a) to enable the ac-
cused to know what the offense is
and where and when committed.
and (b) to enable the court to enter
such judgment as will prevent
a second prosecution for the same
offense. All of this could be stated
in five or ten lines.
.. In criminal actions the accus-
ed should be allowed to remain 81
lent but this silence ought to be
a fair subject for comment. The
state should have the right in an
orderly way to compel him or any
one else to produce any paper or
thing that might he important in
the trial.
3. The plea of insanity should be
in writing and filed when the de-
fendant is arraigned, and should in
clude Il bill of particulars of the
times, places circumstances and
witnesses to be relied upon and
prove It, This is not a constitutional
defense. The state and society have
certain rights as well as the defend
ant and if this plea is relied upon
the state should have this timely
notice
4. Hypothetical questions in all
criminal cases should be abolished.
>. Perjury should be more prompt
ly prosecuted and punished 1t is a
evil and great hindrance
to justice.
6. On the qualifications of jurors /
he right of examination should be .
greatly reduced and left largely to
The discretion of the court.
l. When "A motion to suppress
of service thereof is sus-
aimed, the defendant should be re-
luired to file such questions with his
verified answers thereto within a
specified time with the clerk of the
'ourt.
Should Abolish General Denial.
9. The general denial should be
abolished. The answer should con-
,ist of (D admissions; (2) specific
lenials and CD affirmative defenscs
md avoidance All material allega-
ions in the petition not specifically
l,aied defendant should not lie
''. .ulllNA W N'uN an eil' 'SdNiVh mat
!e knows is true.
10. The statute of 1910 authoriz-
ng the service of process by mail,
'tc., sho,'G We amended so as tc
noulo Tie service of subpoenas up-
IN Witnesses ly telephone and tel
graph.
II. When a petition is filed, as
soon as the issues of law are set
led, the parties should be required
o either demand or waive jury
ee of s. the district court and
IS i'm the county court for the use
n the county.
Would Limit Argument.
L. The district court should be
llowed TO limit the argument of
counsel in all felony cases except
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