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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain inmates entering certain pleas by mail or |
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certain secure electronic transmissions. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 27, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
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amended by adding Article 27.19 to read as follows: |
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Art. 27.19. PLEA BY CERTAIN INMATES. (a) Notwithstanding |
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any other provision of this code, a court shall accept a plea of |
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guilty or nolo contendere with respect to a Class A or B misdemeanor |
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sent by United States mail or secure electronic or facsimile |
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transmission from an inmate who is incarcerated in a facility |
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operated by or under contract with the Texas Department of Criminal |
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Justice. |
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(b) Before accepting a plea under this article, the court |
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shall verify that the person submitting the plea is: |
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(1) the same person named in the information; or |
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(2) a person with legal authority to enter a plea on |
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behalf of the person named in the information. |
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SECTION 2. Article 27.19, Code of Criminal Procedure, as |
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added by this Act, applies to a plea of guilty or nolo contendere |
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entered on or after the effective date of this Act, regardless of |
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whether the offense with reference to which the plea is entered is |
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committed before, on, or after that date. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |