Bill

SB 46

85(R) - 2017
Senate State Affairs
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Read Bill & Check Bill Status
Senate State Affairs
House Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Juries

Vote Recommendation

Yes
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Positive

Author(s)

Judith Zaffirini

Sponsor(s)

Yvonne Davis

Bill Caption

Relating to allowing judges to use juror identification numbers when polling the jury.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

Currently the State or the defendant has the right to poll the jury by calling out each jurors name and asking their verdict. 

SB 46 would maintain this right but in place of calling out jurors by name it would allow the judge to assign each juror an identification number in place of their name.

Vote Recommendation Notes

This bill has a small, but important impact on our liberty principles. Allowing the jurors to be identified in the record by a number rather than a name can help protect the individual’s privacy and possibly even prevent them from being subject to harassment by people unhappy with their vote. This bill advances our principle of individual liberty, therefore we support SB 46.