BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 673
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Chapter 25, Government Code, pertains to the jurisdiction of the county court at law of Randall County. Under current law, only district courts have the jurisdiction to accept pleas in uncontested criminal cases in Randall County.
C.S.S.B. 673 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
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 25.1932(a), Government Code, to provide that the county court at law in Randall County has concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in cases in which the amount in controversy is within the limits prescribed by Section 25.0003(c)(1) and felony cases to accept pleas in uncontested matters, rather than guilty pleas.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective to criminal cases that are pending or commence on or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2005.