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House Bill 351 |
House Author: Canales et al. |
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Effective: 9-1-17 |
Senate Sponsor: Hinojosa et al. |
House Bill 351 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure, Government Code, Penal Code, and Transportation Code to revise provisions relating to the administrative, civil, and criminal consequences imposed on defendants who are indigent or do not have sufficient resources or income to pay all or part of fines or costs for certain criminal offenses. The bill, among other provisions, requires information regarding alternatives to the full payment of fine or costs assessed against a defendant who is unable to pay that amount to be provided to the defendant at certain stages in the criminal justice process and revises provisions relating to community service performed by a defendant in satisfaction of a fine or costs. The bill sets out certain notice requirements for a court, justice, or judge, as applicable, before the issuance of a certain capias pro fine or arrest warrant and establishes the maximum term of confinement for a defendant participating in a pretrial intervention program.
House Bill 351 revises provisions relating to certain fees imposed with respect to a county scofflaw and provisions relating to the denial of renewal of a driver's license for failure to appear or satisfy certain fines or court costs. The bill establishes penalties for forgery committed to obtain or attempt to obtain a property or service. The bill provides for the creation of a commission to study and review certain state penal laws.