Bill > SB1094

This bill modifies the sentencing procedures for capital cases in Texas, specifically changing jury deliberation and voting requirements. The bill amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to require that juries must be unanimous when answering certain key questions during the sentencing phase of a capital trial. Specifically, when deciding whether the death penalty should be imposed, the jury must now unanimously agree to answer "yes" to critical issues, and they must also unanimously agree to answer "no". Previously, only 10 jurors needed to agree on certain negative answers. The bill also clarifies that juries should consider all evidence related to the defendant's background, character, and the circumstances of the offense when deliberating. Additionally, the bill specifies that juries should view mitigating evidence as potentially reducing the defendant's moral blameworthiness. The changes will only apply to criminal proceedings that commence on or after the effective date of September 1, 2025, meaning ongoing or previous cases will be governed by the previous legal standards.

Justice

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB1094