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AN ACT
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relating to jurors and alternate jurors in a criminal case. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 33.011(b), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
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is amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Alternate jurors in the order in which they are called |
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shall replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury renders a |
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verdict on the guilt or innocence of the defendant and, if |
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applicable, the amount of punishment [retires to consider its
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verdict], become or are found to be unable or disqualified to |
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perform their duties or are found by the court on agreement of the |
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parties to have good cause for not performing their duties. |
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Alternate jurors shall be drawn and selected in the same manner, |
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shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the same |
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examination and challenges, shall take the same oath, and shall |
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have the same functions, powers, facilities, security, and |
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privileges as regular jurors. An alternate juror who does not |
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replace a regular juror shall be discharged after the jury has |
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rendered a verdict on the guilt or innocence of the defendant and, |
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if applicable, the amount of punishment [the jury retires to
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consider its verdict]. |
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SECTION 2. Article 36.29(d), Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(d) After the jury has rendered a verdict on the guilt or |
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innocence of the defendant and, if applicable, the amount of |
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punishment [the charge of the court is read to the jury], the court |
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shall discharge an alternate juror who has not replaced a juror. |
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SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a trial commenced on or after the effective date of this Act. A |
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trial commenced before the effective date of this Act is covered by |
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the law in effect when the trial was commenced, and the former law |
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is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1086 was passed by the House on May 1, |
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2007, by the following vote: Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
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No. 1086 on May 24, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 141, Nays 0, |
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2 present, not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 1086 was passed by the Senate, with |
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amendments, on May 22, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays |
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0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: __________________ |
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Date |
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__________________ |
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Governor |