Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the compelling of testimony from a defendant in a criminal case in open court, a restriction on the use of prior convictions except when they are an element of the crime charged, and the right of a defendant in a criminal case to be informed of the evidence against the defendant.

Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 26, 1993

Constitutional Amendment - Modifies the fifth amendment to the Constitution to: (1) state that no person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself except in open court; and (2) provide that a person shall not be confronted with prior criminal convictions except where they are an element of the crime charged. Modifies the sixth amendment to entitle the accused in all criminal prosecutions to be informed of the evidence of the accusation (in addition to the nature and cause of the accusation, as currently provided).

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Jacobs, Andrew, Jr. [D-IN-10] · D–IN

Committees

Judiciary Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

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Feb 10, 1993
Referred to the Subcommittee on Civil and Constitutional Rights.
Jan 26, 1993
Referred to the House Committee on Judiciary.
Jan 26, 1993
Introduced in House
Jan 26, 1993
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 26, 1993 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Jan 2, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

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Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.J.Res.72 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.72, 103rd Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the compelling of testimony from a defendant in a criminal case in open court, a restriction on the use of prior convictions except when they are an element of the crime charged, and the right of a defendant in a criminal case to be informed of the evidence against the defendant.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/72

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hjres72/BILLS-103hjres72ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:21:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.J.Res.72 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.72, 103rd Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the compelling of testimony from a defendant in a criminal case in open court, a restriction on the use of prior convictions except when they are an element of the crime charged, and the right of a defendant in a criminal case to be informed of the evidence against the defendant.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/72

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hjres72/BILLS-103hjres72ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:21:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.72, 103rd Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the compelling of testimony from a defendant in a criminal case in open court, a restriction on the use of prior convictions except when they are an element of the crime charged, and the right of a defendant in a criminal case to be informed of the evidence against the defendant.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/72

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hjres72/BILLS-103hjres72ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:21:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.J.Res.72, 103rd Congress: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States with respect to the compelling of testimony from a defendant in a criminal case in open court, a restriction on the use of prior convictions except when they are an element of the crime charged, and the right of a defendant in a criminal case to be informed of the evidence against the defendant.

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/103rd-congress/house-joint-resolution/72

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 1993-01-26.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/103/bills/hjres72/BILLS-103hjres72ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-01-02T17:21:40Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.J.Res.72 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.