The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-08-22
JUDGES CONFERENCE.
Jackson Scene Of Meeting. Propose
Changes In Laws to be Presented
to the Next Legislature
Says the Clarion-Ledper. AUG. II.

The Conference of Judges held In this
city adjourned yesterday after a GEN.
tral committee had been appointed to
pass upon the different suggestions Of |
fered by the judges. This committee
will report series of resolutions to the
legislature asking that certain changes
in the procedure of this state be made. !
The next session of the Judges will
be held in this city Dec. 80, when the
central committee will report to the
conference memorial to be presented
the legislature asking the passage of
laws. This committee consists of
Judges Monroe Mcclure, E. N. Thomas.
J. A. Teat, w. A. Henry, Thomas
Lamb, ]. M. Stevens and NJ. E. Dem
ton.
The conference appointed this central
committee realizing that great caution
should be taken in asking legislation,
and it is seen that the plan devised al
lows the matters to be proposed for
law to be passed by two committees,
first the original committee recon-
mending 1t, and secondly the central
committee.
1t is believed the judges will be suo-
cessful in securing the passage Of most
of the measures asked,
The committee on criminal procedure
recommended the following suggestions
offered by Judge Henry and sanctioned
by practically every circuit Judge pres
ent:
That a law be enacted providing
that in criminal cases only one charge
on the reasonable doubt and the pre-
sumption of innocence shall be given.
2 That the statute should be so
amended as to deny appeals to the su-
preme court in civil cases where the
amount in controversy, exclusive of in
terest and cost, does not exceed $3.50,
and in all criminal oases by defendant
convicted of misdemeanor, but allow
ing n-appealable civil case, involv-
ing principal amount of not less than
$75 to be reviewed on certiorari to be
granted by the supreme court, or one
of the judges thereof, under rules to be
subscribed by the supreme court, when
the legal question presented is merito-
rious and allowing a conviction of a
misdemeanor to be reviewed by certi-
orari so granted, when upon the facts
the accused is manifestly innocent OF
his guilt is reasonably questionable, and
the legal question is r1eritorious and
should be reviewed. in order to secure
uniformity of decision.
| 8 That the legislature be memorial
lied SO to amend the criminal laws Of
the state to the extent that the con-
tingent fund of the Governor will be
increased to such an amount as to al
low him on the order of the District
Attorney or county attorney of any
county in the state, to pay out any
sum necessary for the prosecution o.
any criminal case by way of expert wit
nesses and to pay examination, detect
i've witnesses, expert accountants ant
witnesses IN other states. Or tina
each county by general act of the leg
islature be allowed to pay expenses in
, Cured for any purpose above men
toned in all criminal matters.
4 The supreme court should be re
! quired to define the law of each cas-
. which is reversed unless reversed o.
! the facts.
Il S The appellant in the suprem
!, court should be required to furnish a
abstract of evidence for the use of tina
: court.
6 The Supreme Judges should b
!. empowered to make recommendation
!. prior to the convening of each legisls
? ture, to the Governor Of the state,
) he by the Governor transmitted to tn
J, legislature as to advisable laws, as I
= procedure, as to all the courts of tn
9 state. -,
. Z On request Of the Governor, tn
lSupreme Judges should be required
give to the Governor written opinion
as to the constitutionality Of any pr
posed lsw which has passed the legisl'
z ture and as to whether any propose
{ amendment to the constitution hi
:. been legally adopted.
{ 8 Rule II of the supreme cOu
n should be enacted into law.
!, 9 The supreme court should not
8 permitted to reverse case where Il
o iury convicts of an offense less ths
. charged on the ground that the defen'
p ant is guilty of q greater crime and NJ
g and not the crime of which he wi
ls convicted. ,
" 10 Judges should instruct the juri
e orally, charges to be taken down by
8, stenographer or by written instructor
D. prepared by themselves.
in II After retiring to consider the
le verdict, q jury should be permitted
If their own solicitation to be advised fu
r. ther as to the law and to have read
IF them the testimony Of any witness
lie any parts thereof and to carry wi
them to the jury room any paper
troduced by any other evidence.
II l2 That those indicted be broug
y to trial at the term at which the
ut dictment is returned, and to this en-
ne Il it can be done constitutionally,
ly should not be reversible error to col
n pel the state and the defendant to
ht to trial upon the admission Of the 9th
"a side Of what the absent witness wou
testify If present.
ic, Is An opinion formed by pers
ed rendered as a juror on rumor or
a. Newspaper reading, should not dis:qu'
w ify that person to try the case If
win say on his oath that he can .
viii set aside the opinion thus form
and try the case solely on the eviden
81 given by the witnesses and ON
nv law O. given by the court.
e. Ia The exemptions from jury d
vice ahnnlh he greatly leSsened.