Section 23. Rights of accused

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Rights of accused

In all criminal prosecutions, every person charged with a crime has the right to be informed of the accusation and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for defense, and not be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, or to pay costs, jail fees, or necessary witness fees of the defense, unless found guilty.

Summary:

Election Date: November 3, 1970

Votes For Ratification: 393759

Votes Against Ratification: 251132

Percent for Ratification: 61%

Percent Against Ratification: 39%

Notes:

Amendment Source: 1969 Chap 1258

Effective Date Source: 1969 Chapter 1258

In criminal prosecutions

In all criminal prosecutions, every person charged with crime has the right to be informed of the accusation and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for defense, and not be compelled to give self-incriminating evidence, or to pay costs, jail fees, or necessary witness fees of the defense, unless found guilty.

Summary: The amendment changes "every man" to "every person charged with crime" to be more inclusive and precise. It also modifies "give evidence against himself" to "give self-incriminating evidence"

Election Date: November 2, 1946

Votes For Ratification: 186,540

Votes Against Ratification: 133,396

Percent for Ratification: 58%

Percent Against Ratification: 42%

Notes:

Amendment Source: 1945 Chap 634

Effective Date Source: 1945 Chap. 634

In criminal prosecutions

In all criminal prosecutions, every man has the right to be informed of the accusation against him and to confront the accusers and witnesses with other testimony, and to have counsel for his defence, and not be compelled to give evidence against himself, or to pay costs, jail-fees, or necessary witness-fees of the defence, unless found guilty.

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That in all Criminal Prosecutions every man has a right to be informed of the accusation against him and to confront the Accusers and Witnesses with other Testimony and shall not be compelled to give Evidence against himself.

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