Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB360 by Talton (Relating to the punishment for the offense of aggravated assault.), As Introduced
The bill would amend the Penal Code by enhancing the punishment for the offense of aggravated assault from a felony of the second degree to a felony of the first degree if the offender uses a deadly weapon and causes serious bodily injury.
A second degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than 20 years or less than 2 years, or, in addition to confinement, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
A first degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for life or for any term of not more than 99 years or less than 5 years, or in addition to imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
It is assumed that the offenders convicted under this statute would not result in a significant impact on the programs and workload of state corrections agencies during the first five years following passage of the bill. The impact of the bill beyond five years following passage could be significant depending on the number of aggravated assault offenders receiving enhanced punishment as a result of the bill.