By Talton                                             H.B. No. 1395
         77R4592 ATP-F                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the authority of a peace officer to make a warrantless
 1-3     arrest when a person confesses to committing a felony.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Article 14.04, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
 1-6     amended to read as follows:
 1-7           Art. 14.04.  WHEN A FELONY HAS BEEN COMMITTED. (a)  Where it
 1-8     is shown by satisfactory proof to a peace officer, upon the
 1-9     representation of a credible person, that a felony has been
1-10     committed, and that the offender is about to escape, so that there
1-11     is no time to procure a warrant, such peace officer may, without
1-12     warrant, pursue and arrest the accused.
1-13           (b)  When a person makes a statement to a peace officer that
1-14     would be admissible against the person under Article 38.21 and that
1-15     establishes probable cause to believe that the person has committed
1-16     a felony, the peace officer may, without warrant, arrest the
1-17     person.
1-18           SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to
1-19     a statement made to a peace officer on or after the effective date
1-20     of this Act.  A statement made before the effective date of this
1-21     Act is covered by the law in effect when the statement was made,
1-22     and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
1-23           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.