White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1925-08-21
RECOMMEND CHANGES
IN CRIMINAL CODE

Prosser, Washington, Aug. Is, 1925
EDITOR, White Bluffs Spokesman
White Bluffs, Washington,
Dear Sir:
/ am enclosing herewith briei
summary of the resolutions adopted
by the Prosecuting Attorneys of the
State, at their annual convention held
in Seattle the first of the month.
These resolutions embody changes
in the criminal procedure which the
Prosecuting Attorneys of the state
will sponsor before the special session
of the legislature this fall, and in eff
fort to have them made the law of
the state.
/ will appreciate your printing these
matter in full, as it is desirable to
have the public understand exactly
what is being asked and that public
opinion express its approval.
Very truly yours,
GEO. o. BEARDSLEY,
Pros. Atty. Benton County, Wash.
The following is summary of
some of the suggestions and resolu-
tons adopted by the Prosecuting At
torneys association, at their convention
in Seattle, relating to reform of GRIM
i1al procedure found desirable by the
Prosecuting Attorneys of the State,
from their experience as public Off
Gals. These matters will be presented
to the Legislature and an effort made
to have them enacted into law, in or
der that the State of Washington may
keep abreast of the trend of legisla-
ton throughout the United States.
Members of the association were
sincerely convinced that the criminal
procedure of this state needs con-
siderable change, in order that the
many technicalities now afforded one
accused of crime be removed, and the
law abiding public of the state receive
the same consideration and opportun-
ity in court as is. afforded to the &C
cused, feeling that the number of in
'nocent persons wrongfully convicted
of crime is negligible compared to the
number Of guilty persons who go I'M
punished, because of technicalities in
voked under our criminal procedure.
1t is proposed that the provision of
law be changed requiring the endorse
ment of the names of witnesses by the
state upon indictments or informations
and leaving the state free to call any
witness, cognizant of necessary facts,
and in proof of it's case, in the same
manner as is afforded the defendant
At the present time unless the name
of a witness for the state has been
endorsed upon the information, he
cannot be called to testify and any
witness who it appears during the
course of trial should be called for the
state cannot be called, although the
defendant may call any and all that
he please.
1t is further proposed that the law
be changed so that the defendant may
be charged under one indictment or
information, with one or more counts
growing out of the same transaction,
and where the doing of an act consti-
tutes two or more separate crimes,
This proposed legislation is the same
as is used in the Federal court, and
will do away with the necessity of fill
ing several separate charges against
a person who commits several crimes,
and will lessen the expense of prose-
cution.
Another provision would strike out
of the existing law, the requirement
which makes it the duty of the Court
to instruct the jury that no intimation
of guilt is to be drawn from the fact
that the defendant fails to take the
stand on his own behalf In as much
as experience has shown that a guilty
person who is afraid to take the stand
fearing that his testimony may con-
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