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House Bill 2236 |
House Author: Moody et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-09 |
Senate Sponsor: Hinojosa |
House Bill 2236 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to add the right to have the court consider the impact on the victim of a continuance requested by the defendant to the list of rights within the criminal justice system to which a victim, guardian of a victim, or close relative of a deceased victim is entitled, for a victim of an assault or sexual assault who is younger than 17 years of age or whose case involves family violence. The bill requires a court that considers a motion for continuance on the part of a defendant to also consider the impact of the continuance on the victim and, if requested by the attorney representing the state or by counsel for the defendant, to state on the record the reason for granting or denying the continuance.