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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the confidentiality of certain witness names listed in |
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an indictment. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Article 20.20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Art. 20.20. INDICTMENT PREPARED. (a) The attorney |
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representing the State shall prepare all indictments which have |
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been found, with as little delay as possible, and deliver them to |
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the foreman, who shall sign the same officially, and said attorney |
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shall endorse thereon the names of the witnesses upon whose |
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testimony the same was found. |
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(b) A pseudonym may be used instead of the name of a witness |
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under Subsection (a) if: |
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(1) nine members of the grand jury vote that |
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disclosing the name of the witness would place the witness in danger |
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of retaliation; or |
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(2) the attorney representing the state claims the |
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identity of informer privilege under Rule 508, Texas Rules of |
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Evidence. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |