SRC-BWC H.B. 3664 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 3664
77R4324 YDB-DBy: Thompson (Whitmire)
Criminal Justice
5/1/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing
officers in Harris County for Class A and Class B misdemeanors is limited
to performing post arrest magistrate duties. Expanding the jurisdiction of
these officers to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases
may reduce the time between arrest and appearance before a judicial
officer, reduce unnecessary incarceration, increase the collection of
restitution, fines, and costs from those offenders able to pay, and provide
a speedy release mechanism for indigent offenders.  H.B. 3664 expands the
jurisdiction and duties of criminal law hearing officers in Harris County
to include the enforcement of judgments in criminal cases.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 54.856(a), Government Code, to add enforcing
judgments and orders of the county criminal courts at law in criminal cases
to the list of duties authorized to be performed by a criminal law hearing
officer appointed under this subchapter.   

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 54.858, Government Code, by adding Subsection
(f) to authorize a criminal law hearing officer to enforce judgments and
orders of the county criminal courts at law in criminal cases. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.