Sec. 62.0175. INTERCHANGEABLE JURORS IN COUNTIES WITH A SINGLE DISTRICT COURT AND A SINGLE COUNTY COURT AT LAW WITH CONCURRENT JURISDICTION

(a) In a county with only one district court and only one county court at law that has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in any matter, the judges of the two courts may meet at a time set by them and determine the approximate number of prospective jurors that are reasonably necessary for each week of the year for a general panel of jurors for service in both courts. The judges shall act together to carry out the provisions of this section.

(b) The judges may order that the number of names of prospective jurors that they determine is reasonably necessary for each week's general panel be drawn from the jury wheel. They may order the drawing of names of prospective jurors for as many weeks in advance as they consider proper and may increase or decrease the number of names drawn for any week.

(c) A general panel shall report to the district judge for jury service, and the district judge shall organize, control, and supervise the members of the general panel.

(d) The sheriff shall notify the persons whose names are drawn from the jury wheel to appear before the district judge for jury service. The judge shall hear the excuses of the prospective jurors and swear them in for jury service for the week for which they are to serve as jurors.

(e) When impaneled, the prospective jurors constitute a general panel for service as jurors in both courts and shall be used interchangeably in those courts. With the approval of both judges, prospective jurors impaneled under this section may constitute a general panel for service as jurors in the justice courts, the county court, and all other county courts at law in the county, in addition to service as jurors in the district court and the county court at law that has concurrent jurisdiction. In that event, the general panel shall be used interchangeably in the district court, county court, county courts at law, and justice courts.

(f) In the event of a deficiency of jurors to satisfy the jury requirements of any of the courts, the district judge shall order sufficient additional names drawn to meet the emergency. The names of additional jurors for the general panel must be drawn from the jury wheel except as provided by Section 62.011. The additional jurors act only as special jurors and shall be discharged as soon as their services are no longer required.

(g) If it becomes necessary to reduce the number of persons on the general panel for the week of its selection because of a lack of work in a court or for other cause, the district judge shall cause the clerk to draw from the general panel the number of names that the judge determines is required for the week. The prospective jurors whose names are drawn shall continue to serve on the general panel for the remainder of the week, and the others are excused.

(h) Except as modified by this section and Section 62.011, the law governing jury wheels applies in the counties that use general panels interchangeably in their courts.

(i) This section does not apply to a selection of jurors in a capital case or a mental health commitment.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1114 , Sec. 2, eff. June 18, 2005.