Grand jury; allow access to record to defendant upon request.

Plain English Breakdown

The bill did not pass, so it does not apply or have any effect.

Allowing Defendants to See Grand Jury Records

This bill would allow defendants or their lawyers to see records of grand jury proceedings when an indictment is returned.

What This Bill Does

• Creates a new law that lets courts give defendants access to grand jury records if asked.
• Allows the court to make copies of these records for the defendant, but only if the court decides it's okay and at the defendant’s expense.
• Requires that any copies made must stay private.

Who It Names or Affects

• Defendants in criminal cases
• Lawyers representing defendants
• Courts handling criminal cases

Terms To Know

Grand jury proceeding

A meeting where a grand jury listens to evidence and decides if there is enough reason to charge someone with a crime.

Indictment

A formal accusation by a grand jury that charges someone with committing a serious crime.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill did not pass and will not become law.
• It only applies to cases where an indictment has been returned by the grand jury.

Official Summary Text

Grand jury; allow access to record to defendant upon request.

Current Bill Text

S. B. No. 2131 *SS36/R109* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
26/SS36/R109
PAGE 1 (ens\kr)
ST: Grand jury; allow access to record to
defendant upon request.
To: Judiciary, Division A
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026

By: Senator(s) Blackmon

SENATE BILL NO. 2131

AN ACT TO CREATE NEW SECTION 13-5-62, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1
1972, TO AUTHORIZE A COURT TO MAKE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION A 2
RECORD OF THE GRAND JURY PROCEEDING TO THE DEFENDANT OR HIS OR HER 3
COUNSEL WHEN A GRAND JURY RETURNS AN INDICTMENT; TO AUTHORIZE 4
PRODUCTION OF CERTAIN COPIES IN THE DISCRETION OF THE COURT; TO 5
PROVIDE THAT ANY COPIES OF THE RECORD SHALL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL; 6
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 8
SECTION 1. The following shall be codified as Section 9
13-5-62, Mississippi Code of 1972: 10
13-5-62. When a grand jury returns an indictment, the court, 11
upon request of the defendant, shall make available for inspection 12
a record of the grand jury proceeding to the defendant or his or 13
her counsel. In its discretion, the court, upon application, may 14
permit copies of the record to be produced at the defendant's 15
expense. Any copies of the record shall be kept confidential. 16
For the purposes of this section, "record" means a transcript or 17
electronic recording. 18
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from 19
and after July 1, 2026. 20