HCS SCS SB 1113 -- CORONER'S INQUEST

SPONSOR:  Caskey (Farnen)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Local Government and Related Matters by a vote of 15 to 0.

This substitute makes the issuance of a coroner's warrant to a
sheriff discretionary.  Under current law, a coroner must issue a
warrant to the sheriff to summon a jury for a coroner's inquest
when a death has been caused by violence or casualty.

Under current law, jurors are responsible for determining if a
person died as a result of a felony.  The substitute requires
jurors to also determine if the felonious act was justified.
Coroners are empowered to issue summons for evidence, documents,
and materials of substance.  The jury may view the dead body by
photographic, electronic, or other means.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the law regarding coroners was
written almost a century ago.  Coroners do not have the time or
funds to have a coroner's inquest for every death in the county.

Testifying for the bill was Senator Caskey.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Steve Bauer, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am