Sec.
§
16.070
Jury to be sworn; court may order jury into custody of officer.
1.
As soon as the jury is completed, the judge or the judge’s clerk shall administer an oath or affirmation to the jurors in substantially the following form:[Text not available]Do you, and each of you, (solemnly swear, or affirm under the pains and penalties of perjury) that you will well and truly try the case now pending before this court and a true verdict render according to the evidence given (so help you God)?[Text not available]
2.
As soon as the alternate juror or jurors are selected, the judge or the judge’s clerk shall administer an oath or affirmation to them in substantially the following form:[Text not available]Do you, and each of you, (solemnly swear, or affirm under the pains and penalties of perjury) that, if required to replace a regular juror or jurors you will well and truly try the case now pending before this court, and a true verdict render according to the evidence given (so help you God)?[Text not available]
3.
After the oath or affirmation has been administered and the jury has been fully impaneled, the court may order the jury into the custody of the sheriff or other officer selected by the court. The jurors shall not be allowed to separate or depart from the custody of the sheriff or other officer except by order of the court. The sheriff shall in such cases, at the charge of the parties to action, prepare suitable and comfortable accommodations and provide food for the jury pending the trial.