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SR 875

State-Wide Grand Juries; jurisdiction, powers, and duties; provide -CA

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bill Cowsert and 2 co-sponsors

Georgia bill establishing state-wide grand juries with expanded multi-county investigative authority, shifting criminal justice oversight from local to state level.

Senate Lost
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Bill Summary · SR 875

Legislative bill overview

SR 875 proposes to establish state-wide grand juries in Georgia with expanded jurisdiction and powers beyond traditional county-level grand juries. The bill would define the scope of authority, investigative powers, and operational procedures for these state-level bodies to handle cases that may cross county lines or involve matters of statewide significance.

Why is this important

State-wide grand juries could streamline investigations into organized crime, public corruption, and multi-county criminal enterprises that exceed local grand jury capacity. However, this represents a significant shift in Georgia's criminal justice structure, which has traditionally relied on county-based grand juries with localized community representation and oversight.

Potential points of contention

  • Centralization of power: State-wide juries may reduce local control over criminal investigations and reduce county-level grand jury authority, raising concerns about accountability to local communities
  • Scope creep: Undefined or overly broad jurisdiction for state grand juries could lead to prosecutorial overreach without sufficient checks from local stakeholders
  • Resource and cost implications: Establishing parallel state-level grand jury infrastructure would require significant state funding and administrative overhead compared to leveraging existing county systems

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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