LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

February 8, 2005

TO:	Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	HB615 by Puente (Relating to a defendant's right to appear by counsel in certain misdemeanor cases.), As Introduced

No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure relating to appearance and identification of a defendant at trial for a misdemeanor offense not punishable by confinement in jail. The bill would require that counsel for the defendant stipulates to the identity of the defendant before trial could proceed without the defendant's personal presence.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2005. 

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

LBB Staff:

JOB, VDS, KJG