SRC-JFA H.B. 2555 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 2555
By: Solomons (Nelson)
Jurisprudence
5-6-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, Denton County has two courts dedicated by statute and in
practice exclusively to the adjudication of criminal cases.  The statutory
probate court handles all civil, probate, guardianship, mental health,
civil justice-of-the-peace appeals and administrative appeals filed at the
county level. The remaining statutory court, County Court-at-Law No. 1, is
dedicated by statute to juvenile cases and justice-of-the-peace and
municipal court appeals.  County Court-at-Law No.1 has almost no time to
handle any additional caseload.  The caseload in both existing county
criminal courts is heavy. This bill would create two additional county
criminal courts in Denton County.   

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 2555 creates two additional county criminal courts in
Denton County.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.0631(a), Government Code, to provide that
Denton County has, among other statutory county courts, County Criminal
Court No. 3 of Denton County; and County Criminal Court No. 4 of Denton
County.   

SECTION 2. (a)  Effective date: September 1, 1997.  

(b)  Provides that the County Criminal Court No. 3 of Denton County is
created September 1, 1997.   

(c)  Provides that the County Criminal Court No. 4 of Denton County is
created September 1, 1998. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.