SRC-BWC S.B. 204 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 204
77R2653 ATP-FBy: Duncan
Jurisprudence
1/22/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, sequestered jurors in a criminal case are not allowed to
separate for meals or other purposes.  As proposed, S.B. 204 gives a trial
judge in a criminal matter the discretion to allow jurors to separate for
overnight stays, meals, and other purposes. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Article 35.23, Code of Criminal Procedure, by
authorizing the court in a criminal case to permit jurors to separate for
meals or other proper purposes if the court has ordered the jury not to
separate until a verdict has been rendered or the jury finally discharged. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.
                       Makes application of this Act prospective.