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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the right to a jury trial in juvenile cases. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subsection (c), Section 54.03, Family Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) Trial shall be by jury unless jury is waived by the child |
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and the child's attorney in accordance with Section 51.09, with the |
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consent and approval of the court and the attorney representing the |
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state. If the hearing is on a petition that has been approved by the |
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grand jury under Section 53.045, the jury must consist of 12 persons |
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and be selected in accordance with the requirements in criminal |
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cases. Jury verdicts under this title must be unanimous. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies to a |
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juvenile court proceeding that commences on or after the effective |
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date of this Act. A juvenile court proceeding that commences before |
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the effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when |
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the proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in effect |
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for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |