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Michigan Constitutional Archive
Michigan Constitution of 1963 / Article I § 20

Proposal B

November 8, 1994; Senate Joint Resolution D of 1993; Approved 2,118,734 to 761,784 (74%)

Article I

Sec. 20: In every criminal prosecution, the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury, which may consist of less than 12 jurors in prosecutions for misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year; to be informed of the nature of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him or her; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his or her favor; to have the assistance of counsel for his or her defense; to have an appeal as a matter of right, except as provided by law an appeal by an accused who pleads guilty or nolo contendere shall be by leave of the court; and as provided by law, when the trial court so orders, to have such reasonable assistance as may be necessary to perfect and prosecute an appeal.

Sources

  • General Election, November 8, 1994, Proposal B (Library of Michigan)
  • Michigan Manual, 2021-2022, p. 102 (PDF, Legislative Service Bureau)
  • Senate Joint Resolution D of 1993 (as Introduced) (PDF, Legislative Service Bureau)

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