AEZ S.B. 224 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


CRIMINAL JURISPRUDENCE
S.B. 224
By: Sibley (Finnell)
5-14-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

Currently, Texas law authorizes only judges of a municipal court of record
who are licensed attorneys, statutory county courts, district courts, the
Court of Criminal Appeals, or the Supreme Court to issue certain warrants.
Smaller counties which have a district judge serving more than one county
sometimes have a problem obtaining a warrant in a timely manner because
the issuing judge is visiting another county.  This bill will authorize
county court judges who are licensed attorneys to issue certain search and
seizure warrants. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 224 authorizes county court judges who are licensed
attorneys to issue certain search and seizure warrants. 

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 Articles 18.01(c) and (h), Code of Criminal Procedure,
to authorize a judge of a county court who is an attorney licensed by the
State of Texas to issue warrants pursuant to Article 18.02(10), Code of
Criminal Procedure.  Authorizes a judge of a county court who is an
attorney licensed by the state to issue a warrant under Article 18.02(12).
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.