Trial of C.O.G.I.C. Elected Officials

In 1991, the General Assembly by Constitutional Amendment, gave its Judicial Authority to the Judiciary Board with these exceptions; General Board members, Judiciary Board members and the Chairman of the General Assembly. Although not listed, it most likely also includes all elected officials.

Click the button below to view the complete Article VIII-Judiciary Board amendment.

Below is the Constitutional procedures found in Article VIII-Judiciary Board, Term of Office, paragraph 3(B)subparagraphs (1- 4)

3 B.         Procedures for filing and handling charges.

1.         A delegate in good standing of the Church of God in Christ having just cause to believe that a member of the Judiciary Board has committed an act repugnant to the Constitution of the Church of God in Christ may file a charge.

a.           The written petition shall be filed in the office of the secretary of the General Assembly specifically setting out the charges and things complained of, and copies shall be filed with the secretary of the Judiciary Board.

b.           Every petition shall be signed by the individual making the charge, whose address shall also be stated. His signature constitutes, a certificate by him that to the best of his knowledge, information and belief, there is good ground to support the charge and that the charge is not made for improper purpose, such as to harass.

c.           For a willful violation of this requirement, a petitioner shall be subjected to appropriate disciplinary action.The Secretary of the General Assembly shall submit the charge to the chairman of the General Assembly who shall appoint an Investigating Committee of not less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members to examine the facts and ascertain whether there are reasonable grounds for having the member brought to trial.

2 The Secretary of the General Assembly shall submit the charge to the chairman of the General Assembly who shall appoint an Investigating Committee of not less than three (3) nor more than five (5) members to examine the facts and ascertain whether there are reasonable grounds for having the member brought to trial.

3. The Investigating Committee shall report its findings and recommendations to the chairman of the General Assembly. If the Investigating Committee determines that there is no merit to the charge, and recommends that the charge be dismissed, the chairman of the General Assembly shall thereupon dismiss the charge and send copies of the letter or order of dismissal to the principal parties.

4. If, however, the Investigating Committee finds and determines that the member should be tried, it shall submit its recommendations to the Chairman of the General Assembly, who shall appoint a Judicial Council of the General Assembly consisting of five (5) members to determine the merits of the complaint. Said Council shall give written notice to all interested parties and to the General Assembly secretary of the time and place of the hearing at least twenty (20) days prior to the time the Judicial Council sets the cause down for trial.

5. The member shall have the right to be represented by counsel, who shall be a member of the Church of God in Christ, but said counsel may be advised by non-members of the Church.

6. The majority decision of the Judicial Council shall be necessary to sustain the charges.

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