Honorable Harold V. Dutton, Jr., Chair, House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
SB888 by Hinojosa (Relating to the appeal of waiver of jurisdiction and transfer to criminal court in juvenile cases.), As Engrossed
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would repeal Article 44.47, Code of Criminal Procedure, authorizing the appeal of a juvenile court order certifying the defendant to stand trial as an adult. The Code of Criminal Procedure would be amended to provide that an appeal of a discretionary transfer from juvenile court would be as provided in Chapter 56, Family Code, that code would be amended to make the corresponding changes. An appeal from a transfer of a child to criminal court, along with an order taking custody of the child from his parents, would take precedence over all other cases. The Supreme Court of Texas would be required to adopt rules accelerating the disposition in the appellate courts of an appeal of an order waiving jurisdiction and transferring a child to criminal court for prosecution.
The Office of Court Administration indicates that while may result in an increase in the number of cases at the courts of appeals requiring preferential treatment over other cases, no significant fiscal implication to the Supreme Court or the state court system is anticipated.
Local Government Impact
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.
Source Agencies:
212 Office of Court Administration, Texas Judicial Council