BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 595

79R1626 RMB-D                                                                                             By: Smithee (Seliger)

Jurisprudence

4/11/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, only district courts have the jurisdiction to accept pleas in uncontested criminal cases in Randall County.  H.B. 595 allows the county court at law of Randall County to accept pleas in uncontested criminal cases in an effort to streamline the administration of justice in Randall County and to reduce the workload of the district courts. 

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 25.1932(a), Government Code, to provide that a county court at law in Randall County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in felony cases to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial hearings, and accept pleas in uncontested matters, rather than accept guilty pleas.  

SECTION 2.  (a) Makes application of this Act prospective. 

            (b) Provides that for purposes of this section, a criminal case is pending if a final judgment has not been entered in the case and commences when an indictment or information is presented to the court. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.