Amend CSSB 1952 by adding the following appropriately
numbered PART to the bill:
PART_____. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
ARTICLE_____. USE OF TELECONFERENCING TO ENTER CERTAIN PLEAS OR
WAIVERS
SECTION_____.01. Article 27.18, Code of Criminal Procedure,
is amended by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as
follows:
(d) A defendant who is confined in a county other than the
county in which charges against the defendant are pending may use
the teleconferencing method provided by this article to enter a
plea or waive a right in the court with jurisdiction over the case.
(e) A defendant who enters a plea or waiver under Subsection
(d):
(1) consents to venue in the county in which the court
receiving the plea or waiver is located; and
(2) waives any claim of error related to venue.
(f) If a defendant enters a plea of guilty or nolo contedere
under Subsection (d), the attorney representing the state may
request at the time the plea is entered that the defendant submit a
fingerprint of the defendant suitable for attachment to the
judgment. On request for a fingerprint under this subsection, the
county in which the defendant is confined shall obtain a
fingerprint of the defendant and use first class mail or other means
acceptable to the attorney representing the state and the county to
forward the fingerprint to the court accepting the plea.