By Patterson                                          S.J.R. No. 27
       74R253 NSC-D
                                  A JOINT RESOLUTION
    1-1  proposing a constitutional amendment relating to the reversal of a
    1-2  criminal conviction because of a violation of a constitutional
    1-3  right.
    1-4        BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
    1-5        SECTION 1.  Article I of the Texas Constitution is amended by
    1-6  adding Section 31 to read as follows:
    1-7        Sec. 31.  PREJUDICE REQUIRED FOR REVERSAL OF CONVICTION.  A
    1-8  judgment in a criminal action for an offense committed on or after
    1-9  January 1, 1996, may not be reversed on the grounds that the trial
   1-10  court violated a constitutional right of the defendant unless the
   1-11  error is shown to prejudice the defendant.
   1-12        SECTION 2.  This proposed constitutional amendment shall be
   1-13  submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 7, 1995.
   1-14  The ballot shall be printed to provide for voting for or against
   1-15  the proposition:  "The constitutional amendment prohibiting a court
   1-16  from reversing a conviction on appeal on the grounds that the trial
   1-17  court violated a constitutional right of a defendant unless the
   1-18  defendant shows the error prejudiced the defendant."