Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure
About the Committee
The Supreme Court adopts the rules of practice and procedure for all state courts. The Supreme Court appoints advisory committees to assist in keeping the rules up-to-date. The tasks of the Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure include:
- Reviewing the operation and effectiveness of the criminal rules
- Receiving proposals to change rules or adopt new rules
- Making proposals to change rules or adopt new rules and sending these proposals to the Supreme Court
- Sending proposed rules to the bar and public for comment and, when required, holding public hearings on proposed rules or rule changes
- Receiving comments
Once a proposal has been sent out for comment, the committee may make further changes or may recommend that the Supreme Court adopt the change. The Supreme Court is responsible for promulgating any amendment.
The committee includes:
- The attorney general or designee approved by the Supreme Court
- The defender general or designee approved by the Supreme Court
- The chair of the Vermont Bar Association corresponding standing committee
- One superior court clerk
- Eight other members, including three superior judges and one state's attorney
The Supreme Court designates the chair of the committee. The Supreme Court also appoints a reporter for the committee. The reporter revises or drafts rules at the request of the committee or the Supreme Court. The reporter's notes, which are published in the rules, explain the history and application of the rules.
Committee Members
| Honorable John R. Treadwell | Superior Judge, Chair |
| Honorable Karen R. Carroll | Associate Justice, Liaison from Supreme Court |
| Honorable Walter M. Morris, Jr. (Ret.) | Reporter |
| Domenica Padula, Esq. | Attorney General Designee |
| Rebecca Turner, Esq. | Defender General Designee |
| Daniel H. Maguire, Esq. | VBA Member |
| Kelly Woodward | Victims Advocate Liaison (nonvoting) |
| Mimi Brill, Esq. | Member |
| Honorable Mary Morrissey | Superior Judge |
| Honorable Alison S. Arms | Superior Judge |
| Devin McLaughlin, Esq. | Member |
| Gaye Paquette | Superior Court Clerk |
| Francis Twarog, Esq. | Member |
| Ian Sullivan, Esq. | State’s Attorney |
| Jessica Burke, Esq. | Member |
Contact Information
Honorable John R. Treadwell
Chair, Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure
Windsor Criminal Division
82 Railroad Row
White River Junction, VT 05001