SB 874 - This act allows citizens to summon a grand jury by filing a petition with the court. The petition must be signed by one hundred qualified voters in the county, plus two percent of the number of qualified voters who voted in the most recent gubernatorial election within the county. The petition must also include information about the subject matter to be investigated and general allegations that could warrant a finding that the inquiry may lead to the issuance of a bill of indictment. Once the petition is filed, the presiding judge of the circuit has sixty days to summon the grand jury or deny the petition. The person who filed the petition may appeal a denial by the judge to summon a grand jury when the petition has been submitted in the proper form. Such person is also immune from liability for civil damages which arise out of conduct made in good faith pursuant to the act.
JESSI JAMES