First Reader Summary

A BILL to be entitled an Act to amend Article 5 of Chapter 12 of Title 15 of the O.C.G.A., relating to trial juries, so as to provide the state and the accused with same number of peremptory challenges in misdemeanor, felony, and death penalty cases, and in challenging alternate jurors; to provide the manner in which peremptory challenges are made; to change the size of the jury panel in felony and death penalty cases; to provide the manner in which the number of alternative jurors is determined; to amend Code Section 17-8-4 of the O.C.G.A., relating to the procedure for trial of jointly indicted defendants and other matters relating to jointly indicted defendants; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.