Honorable Pete Gallego, Chair, House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB152 by Huffman (Relating to the admissibility of evidence of other similar offenses in the prosecution of certain sexual offenses.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide that evidence of other similar offenses committed by the defendant shall be admitted in the trial of certain alleged offenses for any bearing the evidence has on relevant matters, including the character of the defendant. The bill would require a trial court to hold a pretrial hearing on such evidentiary matters at least 30 days before the date of the defendant’s trial. To the extent the bill would amend provisions relating to the rules of evidence for certain offenses, including required pretrial hearings, no significant impact on judicial workloads or fiscal implication to the state is anticipated. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council