In counties with two district courts, the district judges may use interchangeable jury panels and must coordinate the process, while the clerk or sheriff notifies drawn jurors and the judge manages jury service.
Sec. 62.017. INTERCHANGEABLE JURORS IN CERTAIN OTHER COUNTIES. (a) In a county with two district courts, the judges of the two courts may meet at a time fixed 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 district courts. The judges shall act together to carry out the provisions of this section. (b) The district 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) The district judges shall designate from time to time the judge to whom the general panels report for jury service. The judge for the designated period shall organize, control, and supervise the members of the general jury panel. (d) The clerk or sheriff shall notify the persons whose names are drawn from the jury wheel to appear before the designated 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 jury panel for service as jurors in both district courts in the county and shall be used interchangeably in those courts. With the approval of both district judges, prospective jurors impaneled under this section may constitute a general jury panel for service as jurors in the justice courts, the county court, and all statutory county courts in the county, in addition to service as jurors in both district courts, and in that event, shall be used interchangeably in all district, justice, and county courts. (f) In the event of a deficiency of jurors to satisfy the jury requirements of any of the courts, the judge having control of the general jury panel 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 judge having control of the general jury panel 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 jury 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. (j) The method for interchangeable jury panels authorized by this section is in addition to the other methods authorized by this subchapter. The adoption of the method provided by this section is in the discretion of the district judges of the counties with two district courts. Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 480, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1985. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 7, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 861 (H.B. 3474), Sec. 8.018, eff. September 1, 2023.