H.B. 522
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 8, 2021
SESSION 2021 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40250-ND-128
Short Title: Modify Service/Release of Alternate Jurors. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Yarborough.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO MODIFY THE PROVISIONS REGULATING THE SERVICE AND RELEASE
3 OF ALTERNATE JURORS.
4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
5 SECTION 1. G.S. 15A-1215(a) reads as rewritten:
6 "(a) The judge may permit the seating of one or more alternate jurors. Alternate jurors
7 must be sworn and seated near the jury with equal opportunity to see and hear the proceedings.
8 They must attend the trial at all times with the jury, and obey all orders and admonitions of the
9 judge. When the jurors are ordered kept together, the alternate jurors must be kept with them.
10 The court should ensure that the alternate jurors do not discuss the case with anyone until that
11 alternate replaces a juror or is discharged. If before final submission of the case to the jury, at
12 any time prior to a verdict being rendered, any juror dies, becomes incapacitated or disqualified,
13 or is discharged for any other reason, an alternate juror becomes a juror, in the order in which
14 selected, and serves in all respects as those selected on the regular trial panel. If an alternate juror
15 replaces a juror after deliberations have begun, the court must instruct the jury to begin its
16 deliberations anew. In no event shall more than 12 jurors participate in the jury's deliberations.
17 Alternate jurors receive the same compensation as other jurors and, unless they become jurors,
18 must be discharged upon the final submission of the case to the jury.in the same manner and at
19 the same time as the original jury."
20 SECTION 2. This act becomes effective October 1, 2021, and applies to jurors and
21 alternate jurors selected on or after that date.
*DRH40250-ND-128*


Statutes affected:
Filed: 15A-1215
Edition 1: 15A-1215
Edition 2: 15A-1215, 15A-1221, 15A-1340.16, 20-179
Ratified: 15A-1215, 15A-1221, 15A-1340.16, 20-179
SL 2021-94: 15A-1215, 15A-1221, 15A-1340.16, 20-179