DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 644 Original 2020 Regular Session Jordan
Abstract: Provides relative to the sequestration of juries in noncapital cases and provides for the
hours during which a jury trial may be conducted.
Present law provides that in noncapital cases, the jury shall be sequestered after the court's charge
and may be sequestered at any time upon order of the court.
Proposed law amends present law to provide that in noncapital cases, the jury shall not be
sequestered except upon order of the court for good cause.
Proposed law requires trials by jury to be conducted during normal working hours, not to begin prior
to 9:00 a.m. nor end after 6:00 p.m., except for good cause determined by the trial court and set forth
in writing.
Proposed law further provides that if a jury trial extends beyond the proposed law hours, additional
meals shall be promptly provided to jurors.
Proposed law provides that ongoing jury deliberations shall not constitute good cause to extend the
jury trial beyond the proposed law hours. However, upon unanimous agreement of the jurors,
proposed law authorizes the jurors to work beyond the proposed law hours.
(Amends C.Cr.P. Art. 791(C); Adds C.Cr.P. Art. 794.1)