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.