HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

COMMITTEE:   Criminal Jurisprudence 

TIME & DATE: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 29, 2014 

PLACE:       Corpus Christi, Texas                              
CHAIR:       Rep. Abel Herrero 

Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

University Center, ballrooms A&B

6300 Ocean Drive

Corpus Christi, Texas 78412

The committee will meet to consider the following interim charges:

Interim Charge 2: Study the effectiveness of deferred adjudication and orders for non-disclosure in spite of the many exceptions to the statute. Study extending the use of expunction of criminal records history and non-disclosures to certain qualified individuals with low-level, non-violent convictions. Examine the statutorily allowed but underused non-disclosure and expunction of criminal records, and the use of deferred adjudication.

Interim Charge 4: Examine the association between co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorders and parole revocation among inmates from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Review current policies and procedures for incarcerating individuals with a dual mental health diagnosis in both state and county correctional facilities and examine potential remedies within the State's criminal justice system to ensure that the public is protected and that individuals with a mental health diagnosis receive a continuum of mental health services.

Interim Charge 5: Examine the current pecuniary loss thresholds associated with graffiti offenses. Study the costs of enhancing the penalties associated with the offense of graffiti, as well as a study of pretrial diversion programs that exist in other states and are specific to persons convicted of graffiti offenses. Study the existing Graffiti Abatement Programs in Texas.

Interim Charge 7: Examine the utilization of community supervision in state jail felonies and the effectiveness of the state jail in light of its original purpose.

Prior to the public hearing, the committee will also tour the Federal Aviation Administration Lone Star UAS Center, which is operated by Texas A&M University Corpus-Christi.

NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS

Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850, 24 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.