H.B. 982 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 982
By: Talton
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a peace officer may not arrest a person who has
voluntarily confessed to a crime without first obtaining a warrant, unless
that person is about to escape.  This may require an officer to release
and keep track of the suspect while procuring a warrant from a magistrate.
House Bill 982 would allow a peace officer to arrest a person who has
voluntarily confessed to a felony, but does not fall under the exception
for suspects about to escape currently provided by law, without procuring
a warrant. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 982 amends Chapter 14, Code of Criminal Procedure, to authorize
a peace officer to make an arrest without a warrant if a person makes a
statement to the peace officer that would be admissible in court against
the person and establishes probable cause to believe that the person has
committed a felony.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.