BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                            S.B. 1129

                                                                                                                                            By: Hegar

                                                                                                                       Criminal Jurisprudence

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

For a prior conviction to be considered by the court, the prosecution is required to prove that the defendant is the same person named in the conviction.  Under current law, a defendant’s thumbprint is required to be added to the judgment.  However, it is often of poor quality, creating a difficulty for some prosecutors to prove that the defendant in a particular case was previously convicted.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1129 requires the defendant’s driver’s license or personal identification number and date of birth to be included in the judgment.  

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

ANALYSIS

 

Senate Bill 1129 amends Section 1, Article 42.01, Code of Criminal Procedure, to require a judgment in a criminal case to reflect if available, the defendant’s driver’s license or personal identification certificate number issued either by the Department of Public Safety or an equivalent agency in another state, and the defendant’s date of birth.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007