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AN ACT
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relating to the composition of the jury in certain adjudication |
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hearings in juvenile court. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 54.03(c), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(c) Trial shall be by jury unless jury is waived in |
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accordance with Section 51.09. If the hearing is on a petition that |
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has been approved by the grand jury under Section 53.045, the jury |
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must consist of 12 persons and be selected in accordance with the |
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requirements in criminal cases. If the hearing is on a petition |
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that alleges conduct that violates a penal law of this state of the |
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grade of misdemeanor, the jury must consist of the number of persons |
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required by Article 33.01(b), Code of Criminal Procedure. Jury |
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verdicts under this title must be unanimous. |
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SECTION 2. Section 54.03(c), Family Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies to an adjudication hearing conducted in a |
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juvenile court for which a jury is selected on or after the |
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effective date of this Act, regardless of the date the petition on |
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which the hearing is based was filed. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |
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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. 609 was passed by the House on April |
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15, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 609 was passed by the Senate on May 5, |
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2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 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 |