PMWJ H.B. 2555 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS JUDICIAL AFFAIRS H.B. 2555 By: Solomons 4-9-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Currently, Denton County has two courts dedicated by statute and in practice exclusively to the adjudication of criminal cases, almost exclusively class A and B misdemeanors. The statutory probate court handles all civil, probate, guardianship, mental health, civil Justice of the Peace appeals, and administrative appeals (T.A.B.C. applications etc.) filed at the county level. The remaining statutory court, County Court at Law No. 1, is dedicated by statute to juvenile cases and class C Justice of the Peace and Municipal Court appeals and has almost no time to handle any significant misdemeanor class A and B caseload. The caseload in both existing County Criminal Courts is extremely heavy. The caseload and disposition rates in these courts are among the highest in the state. PURPOSE This bill creates two county criminal courts in Denton County. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 amends Section 25.0631(a) of the Government Code to create Denton County Criminal Courts Nos. 3 and 4. SECTION 2. Effective dates. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.