2009 Texas Code
CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
TITLE 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
CHAPTER 33. THE MODE OF TRIAL  

CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

TITLE 1. CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 33. THE MODE OF TRIAL

Art. 33.01. JURY SIZE. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b),

in the district court, the jury shall consist of twelve qualified

jurors. In the county court and inferior courts, the jury shall

consist of six qualified jurors.

(b) In a trial involving a misdemeanor offense, a district court

jury shall consist of six qualified jurors.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 466, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1,

2004.

Art. 33.011. ALTERNATE JURORS. (a) In district courts, the judge

may direct that not more than four jurors in addition to the

regular jury be called and impaneled to sit as alternate jurors.

In county courts, the judge may direct that not more than two

jurors in addition to the regular jury be called and impaneled to

sit as alternate jurors.

(b) Alternate jurors in the order in which they are called shall

replace jurors who, prior to the time the jury renders a verdict

on the guilt or innocence of the defendant and, if applicable,

the amount of punishment, become or are found to be unable or

disqualified to perform their duties or are found by the court on

agreement of the parties to have good cause for not performing

their duties. Alternate jurors shall be drawn and selected in

the same manner, shall have the same qualifications, shall be

subject to the same examination and challenges, shall take the

same oath, and shall have the same functions, powers, facilities,

security, and privileges as regular jurors. An alternate juror

who does not replace a regular juror shall be discharged after

the jury has rendered a verdict on the guilt or innocence of the

defendant and, if applicable, the amount of punishment.

Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 4594, ch. 775, Sec. 2, eff. Aug. 29,

1983.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

846, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Art. 33.02. FAILURE TO REGISTER. Failure to register to vote

shall not disqualify any person from jury service.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Amended by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 3143, ch. 827, Sec. 6, eff.

Aug. 31, 1981.

Art. 33.03. PRESENCE OF DEFENDANT. In all prosecutions for

felonies, the defendant must be personally present at the trial,

and he must likewise be present in all cases of misdemeanor when

the punishment or any part thereof is imprisonment in jail;

provided, however, that in all cases, when the defendant

voluntarily absents himself after pleading to the indictment or

information, or after the jury has been selected when trial is

before a jury, the trial may proceed to its conclusion. When the

record in the appellate court shows that the defendant was

present at the commencement, or any portion of the trial, it

shall be presumed in the absence of all evidence in the record to

the contrary that he was present during the whole trial.

Provided, however, that the presence of the defendant shall not

be required at the hearing on the motion for new trial in any

misdemeanor case.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Amended by Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 1832, ch. 745, Sec. 1, eff.

Aug. 27, 1979.

Art. 33.04. MAY APPEAR BY COUNSEL. In other misdemeanor cases,

the defendant may, by consent of the State's attorney, appear by

counsel, and the trial may proceed without his personal presence.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Art. 33.05. ON BAIL DURING TRIAL. If the defendant is on bail

when the trial commences, such bail shall be considered as

discharged if he is acquitted. If a verdict of guilty is returned

against him, the discharge of his bail shall be governed by other

provisions of this Code.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Art. 33.06. SURETIES BOUND IN CASE OF MISTRIAL. If there be a

mistrial in a felony case, the original sureties, if any, of the

defendant shall be still held bound for his appearance until they

surrender him in accordance with the provisions of this Code.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Art. 33.07. RECORD OF CRIMINAL ACTIONS. Each clerk of a court

of record having criminal jurisdiction shall keep a record in

which shall be set down the style and file number of each

criminal action, the nature of the offense, the names of counsel,

the proceedings had therein, and the date of each proceeding.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

628, Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2007.

Art. 33.08. TO FIX DAY FOR CRIMINAL DOCKET. The district courts

and county courts shall have control of their respective dockets

as to the settings of criminal cases.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.

Art. 33.09. JURY DRAWN. Jury panels, including special venires,

for the trial of criminal cases shall be selected and summoned

(with return on summons) in the same manner as the selection of

panels for the trial of civil cases except as otherwise provided

in this Code.

Acts 1965, 59th Leg., p. 317, ch. 722, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1966.