BILL ANALYSIS
By: Goodman
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The 396th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with county criminal courts of Tarrant County over misdemeanor cases but does not have concurrent original jurisdiction with justice courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases. County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County has jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases but lacks concurrent original jurisdiction with justice courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases.
HB 1142 expands the concurrent jurisdiction of the 396th District Court and County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant County to allow both courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases not yet assigned to these courts. This expansion of jurisdiction will allow for the more efficient handling of assigned cases where other cases have been filed against the same defendant.
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
Section 1 amends Section 24.541(c) of the Government Code to grant the 396th District Court concurrent original jurisdiction with justice courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases. Section 2 amends Section 25.2223(a) of the Government Code to grant County Criminal Court No.5 of Tarrant County concurrent original jurisdiction with justice courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005