In Texas civil litigants are entitled to a trial by jury consisting of 12 jurors. Alternate jurors may be appointed to serve so long as they meet the same qualifications and are selected when the first 12 are selected. Alternates may be substituted for a juror that dies, becomes disabled or is deemed disqualified. However, unless a juror dies or becomes disabled, a jury verdict cannot be rendered by less than 12 jurors. The result is a mistrial. On the other hand, as few as 9 jurors may render a verdict so long as the jurors excused were excused because of death or disability, not disqualifications. The Texas Supreme Court recently reiterated these rules. To read the opinion click here: http://www.search.txcourts.gov/historical/2014/aug/130409.pdf