| |
| |
|
|
A JOINT RESOLUTION
|
|
|
proposing a constitutional amendment to change the composition of |
|
|
the grand jury. |
|
|
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
|
SECTION 1. Section 13, Article V, Texas Constitution, is |
|
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
|
Sec. 13. (a) Grand juries shall be composed of three |
|
|
persons in each county and two members of a grand jury shall be a |
|
|
quorum to transact business and present bills. |
|
|
(b) Petit [and petit] juries in the District Courts shall be |
|
|
composed of twelve persons, except that petit juries in a criminal |
|
|
case below the grade of felony shall be composed of six persons[;
|
|
|
but nine members of a grand jury shall be a quorum to transact
|
|
|
business and present bills]. In trials of civil cases in the |
|
|
District Courts, nine members of the jury, concurring, may render a |
|
|
verdict, but when the verdict shall be rendered by less than the |
|
|
whole number, it shall be signed by every member of the jury |
|
|
concurring in it. When, pending the trial of any case, one or more |
|
|
jurors not exceeding three, may die, or be disabled from sitting, |
|
|
the remainder of the jury shall have the power to render the |
|
|
verdict; provided, that the Legislature may change or modify the |
|
|
rule authorizing less than the whole number of the jury to render a |
|
|
verdict. |
|
|
SECTION 2. This proposed constitutional amendment shall be |
|
|
submitted to the voters at an election to be held November 3, 2015. |
|
|
The ballot shall be printed to permit voting for or against the |
|
|
proposition: "The constitutional amendment to change the |
|
|
composition of the grand jury." |