BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3473

By: Gervin-Hawkins

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Informed observers contend that the court system is overburdened with hearings and other proceedings regarding certain minor criminal offenses that would be better resolved outside of the court system. H.B. 3473 seeks to give peace officers the option of issuing a citation to a person charged with committing a Class B misdemeanor offense of criminal trespass instead of taking the person before a magistrate.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3473 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to include a person charged with committing a Class B misdemeanor offense of criminal trespass among the persons to whom a peace officer may issue a citation containing notice to appear instead of taking the person before a magistrate.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.