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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the determination of whether jurors in a criminal case |
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have good cause for not performing their duties. |
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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, before [prior to] the time the jury |
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renders a verdict on the guilt or innocence of the defendant and, if |
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applicable, the amount of punishment, become or are found to be |
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unable or disqualified to perform their duties or are determined |
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[found by the court on agreement of the parties] to have good cause |
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for not performing their duties either through a finding by the |
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court or through an agreement of the parties that is approved by the |
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court. Alternate jurors shall be drawn and selected in the same |
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manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be subject to the |
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same examination and challenges, shall take the same oath, and |
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shall 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. |
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SECTION 2. 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 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |