Honorable Terry Keel, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S. O'Brien, Deputy Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB862 by Farabee (Relating to the punishment for the offense of assault.), As Introduced
The bill would amend the Penal Code by making the offense of assault punishable as a felony of the third degree when committed against public servants under certain conditions; and when the actor uses or exhibits a stun gun during the commission of the offense.
A third degree felony is punishable by imprisonment in the institutional division for any term of not more than ten years or less than two years, or, in addition to imprisonment, a fine not to exceed $10,000.
Increasing the penalty for any criminal offense is expected to result in increased demands upon the correctional resources of counties or of the State due to longer terms of probation or longer terms of confinement in county jails or prison. In the case of this bill, the increased workload and demand for resources would probably not be substantial.