LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD

Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 79TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION

April 1, 2005

TO:	Honorable John Whitmire, Chair, Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
FROM:	John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:	SB560 by Carona (Relating to court orders for discovery in a criminal case.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to require a court, upon a defendant's motion, to order the State to allow the defendant to inspect and copy certain documents that are evidence in the defendant's case and are in the custody or possession of the State. Under the current law, the court may order the inspection or copying if the defendant shows good cause. The bill would also remove written statements of witnesses from the list of items that do not have to be provided for inspection or copying.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council

LBB Staff:

JOB, WP, LB, KJG