SRC-VRA S.B. 1896 78(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1896
By: Whitmire
Criminal Justice
6/26/2003
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, if a person confesses to a peace officer to committing a
felony, the peace officer cannot arrest the person.  S.B. 1896 allows a
peace officer to make a warrantless arrest when a person confesses to
committing a felony, the confession would otherwise be admissible, and
there is probable cause. 

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 Article 14.03(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, to add a
new subdivision to provide that a person who makes a statement to a peace
officer that would be admissible against the person under Article 38.21
and establishes probable cause to believe that the person has committed a
felony, may be arrested by the peace officer without a warrant.  Makes a
nonsubstantive change. 

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2003.