SRC-SLL S.B. 966 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 966
By: Nelson
Jurisprudence
3-19-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Denton County has two courts dedicated by statute and in
practice exclusively to the adjudication of criminal cases.  The caseload
in both existing county criminal courts is extremely heavy.  The caseload
is higher per court than most similar courts or system of courts in the
state.  As of January 31, 1997, there were 10,472 Class A and B
misdemeanor cases pending in the two courts. This bill will create two
additional county criminal courts in Denton County. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 966 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 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, notwithstanding Section 25.0631(a), Government Code, as
amended by this Act, the County Criminal Court No. 4 of Denton County is
created September 1, 1998. 

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.