(a) A justice or municipal court may order a defendant who does not waive a jury trial in a justice or municipal court and who fails to appear for the trial to pay a reimbursement fee for the costs incurred for impaneling the jury.
(b) The justice or municipal court for good cause may release a defendant from the obligation to pay the reimbursement fee under this article.

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Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 45A.157

  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.

(c) An order issued by a justice or municipal court under this article may be enforced by contempt as provided by § 21.002(c), Government Code.


Text of article effective on January 01, 2025