H-0019.1  _______________________________________________

                    HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 4205

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State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Representatives Carrell, Sheahan, Backlund, Lambert, D. Sommers, Sterk, McDonald, Zellinsky, Boldt, Delvin, Ballasiotes, Schoesler, Mitchell, DeBolt, Dyer, Mulliken, Clements, Radcliff, Hickel, Talcott and Thompson

Read first time 01/21/97.  Referred to Committee on Law & Justice.

Amending the Constitution to authorize verdicts by ten or more jurors in criminal cases in courts of record.

    BE IT RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON, IN LEGISLATIVE SESSION ASSEMBLED:

    THAT, At the next general election to be held in this state the secretary of state shall submit to the qualified voters of the state for their approval and ratification, or rejection, an amendment to Article I, section 21 of the Constitution of the state of Washington to read as follows:

    Article I, section 21.  The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate, but the legislature may provide for a jury of any number less than twelve in courts not of record, and for a verdict by nine or more jurors in civil cases in any court of record, and for a verdict by ten or more jurors in criminal cases in any court of record, and for waiving of the jury in civil cases where the consent of the parties interested is given thereto.

    BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the secretary of state shall cause notice of this constitutional amendment to be published at least four times during the four weeks next preceding the election in every legal newspaper in the state.

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