79R1760 RMB-D

By:  Goodman                                                      H.B. No. 1142



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the jurisdiction of certain courts in Tarrant County.             
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 24.541(c), Government Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	(c)  In addition to other jurisdiction provided by law, the 
396th District Court has concurrent original jurisdiction with:
		(1)  the county criminal courts in Tarrant County over 
misdemeanor cases; and
		(2)  the justice courts to receive guilty pleas in 
misdemeanor cases.
		SECTION 2.  Section 25.2223(a), Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A county criminal court in Tarrant County has 
jurisdiction over all criminal matters and causes, original and 
appellate, prescribed by law for county courts, but does not have 
civil jurisdiction. The County Criminal Court No. 5 of Tarrant 
County also has concurrent original jurisdiction with the justice 
courts to receive guilty pleas in misdemeanor cases.  The County 
Criminal Courts Nos. 5 and 10 of Tarrant County also have concurrent 
jurisdiction within the county of all appeals from criminal 
convictions under the laws of this state and the municipal 
ordinances of the municipalities located in Tarrant County that are 
appealed from the justice courts and municipal courts in the 
county.  The County Criminal Courts Nos. 5, 7, 8, 9, and 10 of 
Tarrant County also have concurrent jurisdiction with the district 
court in felony cases to conduct arraignments, conduct pretrial 
hearings, and accept guilty pleas.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005