MINUTES

 

SENATE COMMITTEE ON JURISPRUDENCE

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

1:00 p.m.

Texas Tech University School of Law

 

*****

 

 

 

Pursuant to a notice posted in accordance with Senate Rule 11.18, a public hearing of the Senate Committee on Jurisprudence was held on Wednesday, September 17, 2008, in the Texas Tech University School of Law.

 

*****

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:		MEMBERS ABSENT:
Senator Jeff Wentworth Senator Robert Duncan Senator Kirk Watson		Senator Juan Hinojosa Senator John Carona Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr. Senator Chris Harris

 

*****

 

The chair called the meeting to order at 1:02 p.m.  The following business was transacted: 

 

The Chair called roll. 

 

Walter Huffman, Dean of Texas Tech University School of Law, gave opening remarks.

 

The Chair laid out Interim Charge Five:  Study practices intended to enhance the jury experience

and increase jury participation, including:

 

·         allowing jurors to ask questions of witnesses by submitting them to the judge in writing;

·         allowing lawyers to periodically summarize testimony for the jury;

·         allowing jurors to take notes during trial; and

·         allowing jurors to discuss evidence among themselves during trial.

     

 

Witnesses are shown on the attached list.

 

The Chair announced that the final interim meeting will be held on October 1st in Austin, Texas.  The Committee will discuss possible recommendations for the interim charges.  

 

There being no further business, at 3:22 p.m. Senator Watson moved that the Committee stand recessed subject to the call of the Chair.  Without objection, it was so ordered. 

 

 

 

 

 

_____________________________

Senator Jeff Wentworth, Chair

 

 

_____________________________

Stephanie Hoover, Clerk