The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1926-12-29
CO. ATTORNEYS
WILL ASK FOR
LAW REFORMS
SEVERAL CHANGES IN GRIMM.
AL PROCEDURE RECOMMEND
ED TO LEGISLATURE BY AS
ISOLATION.

In the interests of better admins
tration of justice in Minnesota and to
remedy some of the existing abuses
in the criminal procedure of the state,
the Minnesota State County Attor-
ney's association has recommended
the adoption of the state legislature
of reforms in criminal procedure on
the following points:
l. That the state should be given
the same number of preemptory chal-
lenges to Jurors as the defense, in all
cases.
This proposal is the law in many
states, including all states adjoining
Minnesota, except North Dakota.
This change has also been proposed
and urged by the Minnesota State Bar
association, District Judges associa-
tion, Minnesota Law Enforcement con-
ference and National Crime Commits
sion of 1926.
2. That the state shall have the
right to reply to the closing argument
of the defense in the trial of all Grim
inal Cases.
Minnesota is the only jurisdiction in
the entire English speaking world Gin
cluding state courts, U. S. Federal,
D. c., Alaska, Hawaii, Porto Rico,
England and Canada) where the pro-
secution does not have the reply or
closing argument. In five jurisdic-
tions the defense has the right to
close, only when he offers no testi-
mony in his defense.
This proposal, giving the state the
right to close, has also been recon-
mended by the Minnesota State Bar
association, District Judges associa-
tion and Minnesota Law Enforcement
conference.
8. The defendants jointly charged
with the same offense may be tried
jointly or separately in the discretion
of the court, and any one or more may
be convicted or acquitted.
This proposed rule is now the law
in many states and other Jurisdictions.
Criminals who jointly commit crimes
should be jointly tried. Separate trials
Of individual men of the same gang is
causing great public expense, delaying
the administration Of justice and fre-
quently resulting in the complete eva
sion of punishment, through delay and
disappearance of witnesses.
This reform has also the support OF
the Minnesota State Bar association,
District Judges association and Ma
tional Crime Commission.
a. That the state be permitted the
right of amending indictments.
This proposal is to permit the
amendment of indictments, both as to
form and substance, so long as no
change is made in the name or identi-
ty of the crime charged, at any time
before the commencement of the trial.
In case of an amendment, the defense
to have additional time to prepare for
trial, if desired. of at least four days.
This measure has also the approval
and recommendation of the Minnesota
State Bar association and District
Judges association.
5. That the state be permitted to
appeal from decisions sustaining
demurrer or motion to quash an in
dictment.
This charge has also been urged by
the National Crime Commission.
6. That the power of information
now possessed by county attorneys be
extended to include all cases.
County Attorneys can issue Infor-
nation at present only in cases where
the maximum penalty does not exceed
ten years. To extend this power
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