Article II. Bill of Rights
Article II, Section 23. Trial by jury - grand jury
Constitution of the State of Colorado
Official text
The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate in criminal cases; but a jury in civil cases in all courts, or in criminal cases in courts not of record, may consist of less than twelve persons, as may be prescribed by law. Hereafter a grand jury shall consist of twelve persons, any nine of whom concurring may find an indictment; provided, the general assembly may change, regulate or abolish the grand jury system; and provided, further, the right of any person to serve on any jury shall not be denied or abridged on account of sex, and the general assembly may provide by law for the exemption from jury service of persons or classes of persons.
Source: Entire article added, effective August 1, 1876, see L. 1877, p. 32. L. 43: Entire section amended, see L. 45, p. 424.
Source: Colorado Revised Statutes 2024, Constitution (Colorado Office of Legislative Legal Services)
In plain English
Trial by jury in criminal cases "shall remain inviolate." Civil juries, and juries in courts not of record, may have fewer than twelve members as the law provides. A grand jury has twelve members, nine of whom may indict, and the legislature may change or abolish the grand jury system. No one may be denied jury service on account of sex.
Plain-English summary drafted by Christian Vote USA; editor review pending. Always read the official text above.
Bills that cite this section
No published bill analyses cite this section yet.
Learn more
- Jury Duty in Colorado (Your Rights and Duties in Colorado)
- The Seventh Amendment: Civil Juries (The Bill of Rights)
Constitutional analysis on this site is educational and is not legal advice.