SRC-SLL S.B. 1818 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1818
By: Cain
Jurisprudence
4-4-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, county courts at law in Smith County do not have jurisdiction
in felony cases.  Because of the increasing work load being placed on the
already overcrowded court dockets, the county commissioners and county
judge of Smith County are requesting that the county courts at law be
given limited jurisdiction.  This bill will grant limited jurisdiction in
felony cases to the county courts at law in Smith County. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1818 grants limited jurisdiction in felony cases to the
county courts at law in Smith 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 25.2142(a-1), Government Code, to provide that a
county court at law's felony jurisdiction is limited to jurisdiction in
third degree felony cases and jurisdiction to conduct arraignments,
conduct pretrial hearings, accept guilty pleas, and conduct probation
revocation hearings in felony cases.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.