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AN ACT
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relating to the oath taken by witnesses appearing before a grand |
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jury. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 20.16, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 20.16. OATHS TO WITNESSES. (a) The following oath |
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shall be administered by the foreman, or under the foreman's [his] |
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direction, to each witness before being interrogated: "You |
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solemnly swear that you will not reveal, [divulge, either] by your |
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words or conduct [signs], and will keep secret any matter about |
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which you may be interrogated or that you have observed during the[,
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and that you will keep secret all] proceedings of the grand jury |
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[which may be had in your presence], and that you will answer |
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truthfully the [true answers make to such] questions asked of [as
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may be propounded to] you by the grand jury, or under its direction, |
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so help you God." |
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(b) A [Any] witness who reveals [divulges] any matter about |
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which the witness [he] is interrogated[,] or that the witness has |
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observed during the [any] proceedings of the grand jury [had in his
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presence], other than when required to give evidence thereof in due |
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course, shall be liable to a fine as for contempt of court, not |
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exceeding $500, and to imprisonment not exceeding six months. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a grand jury proceeding that begins on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. A grand jury proceeding that begins before the |
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effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the |
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proceeding began, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. 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 hereby certify that S.B. No. 343 passed the Senate on |
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March 14, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0; and that |
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the Senate concurred in House amendment on April 23, 2007, by the |
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following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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I hereby certify that S.B. No. 343 passed the House, with |
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amendment, on April 19, 2007, by the following vote: Yeas 142, |
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Nays 0, two present not voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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Approved: |
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______________________________ |
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______________________________ |
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Date |
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______________________________ |
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______________________________ |
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Governor |