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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a written statement made by an accused as a result of |
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custodial interrogation. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 1, Article 38.22, Code of Criminal |
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Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1. In this article, a written statement of an accused |
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means: |
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(1) [a statement signed by the accused or] a statement |
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made by the accused in his own handwriting; or |
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(2) a statement made in a language the accused can read |
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or |
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understand that: |
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(A) is signed by the accused; or |
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(B) bears the mark of the accused, if the accused |
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is unable to write and [, a statement bearing his mark, when] the |
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mark is [has been] witnessed by a person other than a peace officer. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies only to a statement made by an |
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accused on or after the effective date of this Act. A statement made |
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by an accused before the effective date of this Act is governed by |
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the law in effect when the statement was made, and the former law is |
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continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |