|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the pretrial release of a defendant and to funding for |
|
judicial continuing legal education. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Article 1.07, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 1.07. RIGHT TO PRETRIAL RELEASE [BAIL]. (a) Except as |
|
provided by Subsection (b) or Chapter 17, any person [All
|
|
prisoners] shall be eligible for pretrial release, whether on a |
|
bail bond or a personal bond, [bailable] unless the person is |
|
accused of a [for] capital offense for which [offenses when] the |
|
proof is evident. This provision shall not be [so] construed [as] |
|
to prevent pretrial release [bail] after indictment found upon |
|
examination of the evidence, in such manner as may be prescribed by |
|
law. |
|
(b) A person may be denied pretrial release if a judge or |
|
magistrate determines by clear and convincing evidence that |
|
requiring bail and conditions of pretrial release are insufficient |
|
to reasonably ensure: |
|
(1) the person's appearance in court as required; or |
|
(2) the safety of the community or the victim of the |
|
alleged offense. |
|
SECTION 2. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Articles 17.021, 17.027, 17.028, and 17.029 to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.021. DEFINITION OF "PERSONAL BOND OFFICE". (a) A |
|
"personal bond office" means an office established under Article |
|
17.42 to: |
|
(1) gather and review any information that may have a |
|
bearing on whether a defendant charged with an offense will comply |
|
with the conditions of a personal bond; and |
|
(2) report any findings to the court before which the |
|
defendant's case is pending. |
|
(b) The term "personal bond office" includes a pretrial |
|
services office or a pretrial release office. |
|
Art. 17.027. PRETRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT. (a) The district |
|
judges with criminal jurisdiction in each judicial district shall |
|
adopt an instrument to be used in conducting a pretrial risk |
|
assessment of a defendant charged with an offense in that district. |
|
The instrument adopted must be the automated pretrial risk |
|
assessment system developed under Section 72.032, Government Code, |
|
or another instrument that is: |
|
(1) objective, validated for its intended use, and |
|
standardized; and |
|
(2) based on an analysis of empirical data and risk |
|
factors relevant to the risk of: |
|
(A) a defendant failing to appear in court as |
|
required; and |
|
(B) danger to the community or the victim of the |
|
alleged offense as a result of the defendant's pretrial release. |
|
(b) A magistrate considering the release on bail of a |
|
defendant charged with an offense punishable as a Class B |
|
misdemeanor or any higher category of offense shall order that: |
|
(1) the personal bond office for the county in which |
|
the defendant is being detained, or other suitable person, use the |
|
instrument adopted under Subsection (a) to conduct a pretrial risk |
|
assessment with respect to the defendant; and |
|
(2) the results of the assessment be provided to the |
|
magistrate without unnecessary delay to ensure that the magistrate |
|
is able to make a pretrial release decision under Article 17.028 |
|
within the period required by Subsection (a) of that article. |
|
(c) The magistrate must consider the results of the pretrial |
|
risk assessment before making a pretrial release decision under |
|
Article 17.028. |
|
Art. 17.028. PRETRIAL RELEASE DECISION. (a) Without |
|
unnecessary delay but not later than 48 hours after a defendant is |
|
arrested, a magistrate shall order, after considering all |
|
circumstances, the results of the pretrial risk assessment |
|
conducted under Article 17.027, and any credible information |
|
provided by the defendant or the attorney representing the state, |
|
that the defendant be: |
|
(1) released on personal bond without conditions; |
|
(2) released on personal bond with any condition the |
|
magistrate determines necessary; |
|
(3) released on a monetary bail bond without |
|
conditions; |
|
(4) released on a monetary bail bond with any |
|
condition the magistrate determines necessary; or |
|
(5) denied pretrial release in accordance with this |
|
chapter. |
|
(b) A magistrate may release a defendant arrested pursuant |
|
to a warrant that was issued in a county other than the county in |
|
which the defendant was arrested if the magistrate would have had |
|
jurisdiction over the matter had the warrant been issued in the |
|
county of arrest. If applicable, the magistrate shall forward a |
|
copy of the pretrial release order to a personal bond office in the |
|
county in which the arrest warrant was issued. |
|
(c) In making a decision under this article, the magistrate |
|
shall impose, as applicable, the least restrictive conditions and |
|
the minimum amount or type of bail necessary to reasonably ensure |
|
the defendant's appearance in court as required and the safety of |
|
the community and the victim of the alleged offense. |
|
(d) A magistrate may not require a defendant to provide a |
|
monetary bail bond for the sole purpose of preventing the |
|
defendant's pretrial release. |
|
(e) A magistrate who denies a defendant's pretrial release |
|
shall inform the defendant that the defendant is entitled to a |
|
pretrial detention hearing under Article 17.035 and, as soon as |
|
practicable but not later than 24 hours after denying the release, |
|
issue a written order of denial that includes findings of fact and a |
|
statement of the magistrate's reasons for denying the release. |
|
(f) Any costs related to a condition of a defendant's |
|
pretrial release shall be assessed as court costs or ordered paid |
|
directly by a defendant as a condition of release, unless the |
|
magistrate determines that the defendant is indigent or |
|
demonstrates an inability to pay. |
|
(g) A judge may not adopt a bail schedule or enter a standing |
|
order related to bail that: |
|
(1) is inconsistent with this article; or |
|
(2) authorizes a magistrate or other officer to make a |
|
pretrial release decision for a defendant without considering the |
|
results of the defendant's pretrial risk assessment. |
|
Art. 17.029. DEFENDANT APPEARING IN RESPONSE TO CITATION. |
|
A defendant who appears before a magistrate as ordered by citation |
|
may not be temporarily detained for purposes of conducting a |
|
pretrial risk assessment or for a magistrate to issue a pretrial |
|
release decision. The magistrate, after performing the duties |
|
imposed by Article 15.17, shall release the defendant on personal |
|
bond, unless the defendant is lawfully detained on another matter. |
|
SECTION 3. Articles 17.032(a), (b), (c), and (d), Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this article, "violent offense" means an offense |
|
under the following sections of the Penal Code: |
|
(1) Section 19.02 (murder); |
|
(2) Section 19.03 (capital murder); |
|
(3) Section 20.03 (kidnapping); |
|
(4) Section 20.04 (aggravated kidnapping); |
|
(5) Section 21.11 (indecency with a child); |
|
(6) Section 22.01(a)(1) (assault), if the offense |
|
involves family violence as defined by Section 71.004, Family Code; |
|
(7) Section 22.011 (sexual assault); |
|
(8) Section 22.02 (aggravated assault); |
|
(9) Section 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault); |
|
(10) Section 22.04 (injury to a child, elderly |
|
individual, or disabled individual); |
|
(11) Section 29.03 (aggravated robbery); |
|
(12) Section 21.02 (continuous sexual abuse of young |
|
child or children); or |
|
(13) Section 20A.03 (continuous trafficking of |
|
persons). |
|
(b) Notwithstanding a bail schedule or any standing order |
|
entered by a judge, a [A] magistrate shall release a defendant on |
|
personal bond unless good cause is shown otherwise if [the]: |
|
(1) the defendant is not charged with and has not been |
|
previously convicted of a violent offense; |
|
(2) the defendant is examined by the local mental |
|
health [or mental retardation] authority, local intellectual and |
|
developmental disability authority, or another mental health or |
|
intellectual disability expert under Article 16.22 [of this code]; |
|
(3) the applicable expert, in a written assessment |
|
submitted to the magistrate under Article 16.22,[:
|
|
[(A)] concludes that the defendant: |
|
(A) has a mental illness or is a person with an |
|
intellectual disability; [mental retardation] and |
|
(B) requires treatment that is not available in |
|
the jail [is nonetheless competent to stand trial]; [and
|
|
[(B)
recommends mental health treatment for the
|
|
defendant; and] |
|
(4) the magistrate determines, in consultation with |
|
the local mental health [or mental retardation] authority or local |
|
intellectual and developmental disability authority, that |
|
appropriate community-based mental health or intellectual |
|
disability [mental retardation] services for the defendant are |
|
available in accordance with [through the Texas Department of
|
|
Mental Health and Mental Retardation under] Section 534.053 or |
|
534.103, Health and Safety Code, or through a [another] mental |
|
health or intellectual disability [mental retardation] services |
|
provider as otherwise permitted by law; and |
|
(5) the magistrate finds, after considering all the |
|
circumstances, the results of the pretrial risk assessment |
|
conducted under Article 17.027, and any other credible information |
|
provided by the defendant or the attorney representing the state, |
|
that release on personal bond would reasonably ensure the |
|
defendant's appearance in court as required and the safety of the |
|
community and the victim of the alleged offense. |
|
(c) The magistrate, unless good cause is shown for not |
|
requiring treatment, shall require as a condition of release [on
|
|
personal bond] under this article that the defendant submit to |
|
outpatient or inpatient mental health or intellectual disability |
|
[mental retardation] treatment as recommended by the local mental |
|
health [or mental retardation] authority, local intellectual and |
|
developmental disability authority, or another qualified mental |
|
health or intellectual disability expert if the defendant's: |
|
(1) mental illness or intellectual disability [mental
|
|
retardation] is chronic in nature; or |
|
(2) ability to function independently will continue to |
|
deteriorate if the defendant is not treated. |
|
(d) In addition to a condition of release imposed under |
|
Subsection (c) of this article, the magistrate may require the |
|
defendant to comply with other conditions that are reasonably |
|
necessary to ensure the defendant's appearance in court as required |
|
and the safety of [protect] the community and the victim of the |
|
alleged offense. |
|
SECTION 4. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Articles 17.034, 17.035, 17.036, 17.037, and |
|
17.038 to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.034. RELEASE OF DEFENDANT ARRESTED FOR FAILURE TO |
|
APPEAR. A magistrate shall release on personal bond a defendant |
|
arrested on a warrant issued for the defendant's failure to appear |
|
as ordered if the defendant shows good cause for the failure to |
|
appear. If good cause is not shown, a magistrate may release the |
|
defendant in accordance with Article 17.028. If the magistrate |
|
releases the defendant on a monetary bail bond, the magistrate must |
|
set the amount of bail at the minimum amount that the magistrate |
|
determines is necessary to reasonably ensure the defendant's |
|
appearance in court as required and the safety of the community and |
|
the victim of the alleged offense. |
|
Art. 17.035. PRETRIAL DETENTION HEARING REQUIRED. (a) As |
|
soon as practicable after a defendant's pretrial release is denied |
|
under Article 17.028, but not later than the 10th day after the date |
|
the magistrate issues the written order denying the release, the |
|
court in which the defendant's case is pending shall conduct a |
|
hearing regarding whether to detain the defendant pending the trial |
|
of the offense. |
|
(b) A defendant may voluntarily and intelligently waive in |
|
writing the defendant's right to a pretrial detention hearing. The |
|
court or the attorney representing the state may not direct or |
|
encourage the defendant to waive the defendant's right to a |
|
pretrial detention hearing. A waiver under this subsection shall be |
|
filed with and become part of the record of the proceedings. A |
|
waiver obtained in violation of this subsection is presumed |
|
invalid. A defendant may withdraw a waiver under this subsection at |
|
any time. |
|
(c) The attorney representing the state must establish |
|
probable cause that the defendant committed the offense for which |
|
the defendant is being detained. The attorney representing the |
|
state may satisfy the requirement of this subsection by providing |
|
to the court an information or indictment for the offense. |
|
(d) In each criminal case, there is a rebuttable presumption |
|
that monetary bail, conditions of release, or both monetary bail |
|
and conditions of release are sufficient to reasonably ensure the |
|
defendant's appearance in court as required and the safety of the |
|
community and the victim of the alleged offense. For purposes of |
|
rebutting the presumption established by this subsection, the court |
|
may consider the results of the defendant's pretrial risk |
|
assessment and any other information presented during the hearing. |
|
(e) A defendant is entitled to be represented by counsel at |
|
a pretrial detention hearing, and an indigent defendant is entitled |
|
to have counsel appointed to represent the defendant for that |
|
purpose. |
|
(f) The defendant may present any relevant information at |
|
the pretrial detention hearing, including by testifying, |
|
presenting witnesses, and cross-examining witnesses presented by |
|
the attorney representing the state. |
|
(g) The rules of evidence applicable to criminal trials do |
|
not apply to a pretrial detention hearing. The defendant or the |
|
attorney representing the state may request a proffer of a |
|
witness's testimony before the witness is presented. |
|
(h) A defendant may not use a pretrial detention hearing to: |
|
(1) seek discovery or conduct an examining trial; or |
|
(2) harass a victim of or witness to the alleged |
|
offense. |
|
(i) At any time during the period occurring after the |
|
pretrial detention hearing concludes and before the trial of the |
|
offense commences, and regardless of whether the defendant was |
|
released or confined as a result of that hearing, the court may |
|
reopen the pretrial detention hearing based on new information that |
|
the court determines is material to the issue of whether monetary |
|
bail or conditions of release will reasonably ensure the |
|
defendant's appearance in court as required and the safety of the |
|
community and the victim of the alleged offense. |
|
Art. 17.036. PRETRIAL DETENTION HEARING: FINDING AND ORDER. |
|
(a) In a pretrial detention hearing, the court shall consider: |
|
(1) the nature and circumstances of the offense |
|
charged; |
|
(2) the weight of the evidence against the defendant, |
|
including whether the evidence is likely to be admissible in the |
|
trial of the offense; |
|
(3) the history and characteristics of the defendant, |
|
including: |
|
(A) the defendant's character, physical and |
|
mental condition, family ties, employment, financial resources, |
|
length of residence in and other ties to the community, past conduct |
|
including criminal history, history relating to drug or alcohol |
|
abuse, and history of attendance at court proceedings; and |
|
(B) whether, at the time of the offense, the |
|
defendant was on community supervision, parole, or mandatory |
|
supervision or was otherwise released pending trial, sentencing, |
|
or appeal for any offense, including an offense under federal law or |
|
the law of another state; |
|
(4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to the |
|
community or the victim of the alleged offense as a result of the |
|
defendant's pretrial release, if applicable; |
|
(5) the nature and seriousness of the risk of |
|
obstruction to the criminal justice process as a result of the |
|
defendant's pretrial release, if applicable; |
|
(6) the results of the defendant's pretrial risk |
|
assessment; and |
|
(7) any other relevant information. |
|
(b) The judge shall order the defendant to be released in |
|
accordance with Article 17.028 unless the judge finds by clear and |
|
convincing evidence that monetary bail and conditions of release |
|
are insufficient to reasonably ensure the defendant's appearance in |
|
court as required or the safety of the community or the victim of |
|
the alleged offense. If the judge makes the finding described by |
|
this subsection, the judge shall: |
|
(1) order that the defendant be detained in jail |
|
pending trial; and |
|
(2) issue a written order that includes findings of |
|
fact and a statement of the judge's reasons for ordering the |
|
pretrial detention. |
|
Art. 17.037. PRETRIAL DETENTION HEARING: CONTINUANCE. A |
|
defendant may request a continuance of a pretrial detention |
|
hearing. Except for good cause shown, the court may not, based on a |
|
defendant's request, authorize a continuance for more than five |
|
days, excluding weekends and legal holidays. The attorney |
|
representing the state may not request a continuance of a pretrial |
|
detention hearing. |
|
Art. 17.038. PRETRIAL DETENTION HEARING: APPEAL. A |
|
defendant is entitled to appeal an order requiring that the |
|
defendant be detained in jail pending trial. The defendant shall be |
|
detained in jail pending the appeal. The court of criminal appeals |
|
shall adopt rules accelerating the disposition by the appellate |
|
court and the court of criminal appeals of an appeal under this |
|
article. |
|
SECTION 5. Section 3, Article 17.09, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 3. (a) Provided that whenever, during the course of |
|
the action, the judge or magistrate in whose court the [such] action |
|
is pending or a judge of a court in the county with jurisdiction |
|
over the action finds that the bond is defective, excessive or |
|
insufficient in amount, or that the sureties, if any, are not |
|
acceptable, or for any other good and sufficient cause, the [such] |
|
judge or magistrate may, either in term-time or in vacation, order |
|
the defendant [accused] to be rearrested, and require the defendant |
|
[accused] to give another bond in accordance with this chapter in an |
|
[such] amount or under any conditions [as] the judge or magistrate |
|
considers [may deem] proper. When the [such] bond is [so] given and |
|
approved, the defendant shall be released from custody. At any time |
|
before trial of the offense for which the defendant is released on |
|
bail, the attorney representing the state may, for any good and |
|
sufficient cause, file a motion to declare the bond defective or |
|
insufficient. |
|
(b) The judge or magistrate may order the defendant to be |
|
rearrested and require the defendant to give another bond in a |
|
higher amount only after providing notice to each party to the |
|
action and, on request of a party, an opportunity for a hearing. |
|
SECTION 6. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Articles 17.142 and 17.1511 to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.142. APPLICATION FOR BAIL REDUCTION. A defendant |
|
who is unable to give bail in the amount ordered under this chapter |
|
may submit an application for a bail reduction to the judge in whose |
|
court the action is pending or a judge of a court in the county with |
|
jurisdiction over the action. The judge shall promptly hold a |
|
hearing regarding the application. |
|
Art. 17.1511. RELEASE OF DEFENDANT DETAINED LONGER THAN |
|
POTENTIAL PUNISHMENT. Notwithstanding any other law, a defendant |
|
may not be detained in jail pending trial for a cumulative period |
|
that exceeds the maximum term of confinement that may be imposed on |
|
conviction of the offense of which the defendant is accused. |
|
SECTION 7. Article 17.20, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.20. BAIL IN MISDEMEANOR. Notwithstanding a bail |
|
schedule or any standing order entered by a judge, in [In] cases of |
|
misdemeanor when the defendant is in the custody of the officer or |
|
jailer, the sheriff or other peace officer[,] or a jailer licensed |
|
under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, after considering the results |
|
of the defendant's pretrial risk assessment, may, whether during |
|
the term of the court or in vacation, [where the officer has a
|
|
defendant in custody,] take [of] the bail of the defendant in |
|
accordance with Article 17.028 [a bail bond]. |
|
SECTION 8. Article 17.21, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.21. BAIL IN FELONY. (a) Notwithstanding a bail |
|
schedule or any standing order entered by a judge, in [In] cases of |
|
felony, when the defendant [accused] is in the custody of a [the] |
|
sheriff or other peace officer or a jailer licensed under Chapter |
|
1701, Occupations Code, and the court before which the prosecution |
|
is pending is in session in the county where the defendant [accused] |
|
is in custody, the court shall make a pretrial release decision in |
|
accordance with Article 17.028. After approving the bail, the [fix
|
|
the amount of bail, if it is a bailable case and determine if the
|
|
accused is eligible for a personal bond; and the sheriff or other
|
|
peace] officer[, unless it be the police of a city,] or [a] jailer |
|
may [licensed under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code, is authorized
|
|
to] take the [a] bail [bond] of the defendant [accused in the
|
|
amount] as ordered [fixed] by the court. On taking the bail, the[,
|
|
to be approved by such] officer or jailer shall [taking the same,
|
|
and will thereupon] discharge the defendant [accused] from custody. |
|
(b) The defendant and the defendant's sureties are not |
|
required to appear in court. |
|
(c) This article does not apply to a peace officer employed |
|
by a municipality. |
|
SECTION 9. Article 17.22, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.22. MAY TAKE BAIL IN FELONY. In a felony case, if |
|
the court before which the case [same] is pending is not in session |
|
in the county where the defendant is in custody, the sheriff or |
|
other peace officer[,] or a jailer licensed under Chapter 1701, |
|
Occupations Code, who has the defendant in custody: |
|
(1) may take the defendant's bail if bail has [bond in
|
|
such amount as may have] been ordered [fixed] by the court or |
|
magistrate under Article 17.028;[,] or |
|
(2) notwithstanding a bail schedule or any standing |
|
order entered by a judge, may, after considering the results of the |
|
defendant's pretrial risk assessment, take the defendant's bail in |
|
accordance with Article 17.028 if bail [no amount] has not been |
|
ordered [fixed, then in such amount as such officer may consider
|
|
reasonable]. |
|
SECTION 10. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Article 17.251 to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.251. NOTIFICATION OF CONDITIONS OF RELEASE. (a) A |
|
magistrate authorizing a defendant's release on bail shall, if |
|
applicable, provide written notice to the defendant of: |
|
(1) the conditions of the defendant's release; and |
|
(2) the penalties of violating a condition of release, |
|
including the defendant's arrest. |
|
(b) The notice under Subsection (a) must be provided in a |
|
manner that is sufficiently clear and specific to serve as a guide |
|
for the defendant's conduct while released. |
|
SECTION 11. Articles 17.41(b) and (c), Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Subject to Subsections (c) and (d), a magistrate shall |
|
require as a condition of release [bond] for a defendant charged |
|
with an offense described by Subsection (a) that the defendant not: |
|
(1) directly communicate with the alleged victim of |
|
the offense; or |
|
(2) go near a residence, school, or other location, as |
|
specifically described in the bond, frequented by the alleged |
|
victim. |
|
(c) A magistrate who imposes a condition of release [bond] |
|
under this article may grant the defendant supervised access to the |
|
alleged victim. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 1, Article 17.42, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1. Any county, or any judicial district with |
|
jurisdiction in more than one county, with the approval of the |
|
commissioners court of each county in the district, may establish a |
|
personal bond office [to gather and review information about an
|
|
accused that may have a bearing on whether he will comply with the
|
|
conditions of a personal bond and report its findings to the court
|
|
before which the case is pending]. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 4, Article 17.42, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding |
|
Subsection (a-1) to read as follows: |
|
(a) If a court releases a defendant [an accused] on personal |
|
bond on the recommendation of a personal bond office, the court |
|
shall assess a personal bond fee of $20 or three percent of the |
|
amount of the bail fixed for the accused, whichever is greater. The |
|
court may waive the fee or assess a lesser fee if the court |
|
determines that the defendant is indigent or demonstrates an |
|
inability to pay or if other good cause is shown. The court or |
|
jailer may not refuse to release a defendant solely because the |
|
defendant is unable to pay the fee if the court determines that the |
|
defendant is indigent or demonstrates an inability to pay the fee. |
|
(a-1) The court may require that any fee assessed under |
|
Subsection (a) be paid: |
|
(1) before the defendant is released; |
|
(2) as a condition of release; or |
|
(3) as court costs. |
|
SECTION 14. Sections 5(a) and (b), Article 17.42, Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A personal bond [pretrial release] office established |
|
under this article shall: |
|
(1) prepare a record containing information about any |
|
defendant [accused person] identified by case number only who, |
|
after review by the office, is released by a court on personal bond; |
|
(2) update the record on a monthly basis; and |
|
(3) file a copy of the record with the district or |
|
county clerk, as applicable based on court jurisdiction over the |
|
categories of offenses addressed in the records, in any county |
|
served by the office. |
|
(b) In preparing a record under Subsection (a), the office |
|
shall include in the record a statement of: |
|
(1) the offense with which the defendant [person] is |
|
charged; |
|
(2) the dates of any court appearances scheduled in |
|
the matter that were previously unattended by the defendant |
|
[person]; |
|
(3) whether a summons or a warrant of arrest has been |
|
issued as a result of [for] the defendant's [person's arrest for] |
|
failure to appear in accordance with the terms of [the person's] |
|
release; |
|
(4) whether the defendant [person] has failed to |
|
comply with conditions of release [on personal bond]; and |
|
(5) the presiding judge or magistrate who authorized |
|
the personal bond. |
|
SECTION 15. Section 6(b), Article 17.42, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) In preparing an annual report under Subsection (a), the |
|
office shall include in the report a statement of: |
|
(1) the office's operating budget; |
|
(2) the number of positions maintained for office |
|
staff; |
|
(3) the number of defendants [accused persons] who, |
|
after review by the office, were released by a court on personal |
|
bond; and |
|
(4) the number of defendants [persons] described by |
|
Subdivision (3): |
|
(A) who were convicted of the same offense or of |
|
any felony within the six years preceding the date on which charges |
|
were filed in the matter pending during the defendant's [person's] |
|
release; |
|
(B) who failed to attend a scheduled court |
|
appearance; |
|
(C) for whom a summons or a warrant of arrest was |
|
issued as a result of [for] the defendant's [person's arrest for] |
|
failure to appear in accordance with the terms of [the person's] |
|
release; or |
|
(D) who were arrested for any other offense while |
|
on the personal bond. |
|
SECTION 16. Article 17.43, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.43. HOME CURFEW AND ELECTRONIC MONITORING AS |
|
CONDITION. (a) A magistrate may require as a condition of release |
|
[on personal bond] that the defendant submit to home curfew and |
|
electronic monitoring under the supervision of an agency designated |
|
by the magistrate. |
|
(b) Cost of monitoring may be assessed as court costs or |
|
ordered paid directly by the defendant as a condition of release |
|
[bond]. |
|
SECTION 17. The heading to Article 17.44, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure, is amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.44. HOME CONFINEMENT, ELECTRONIC MONITORING, |
|
ALCOHOL OR [AND] DRUG TESTING, OR TREATMENT AS CONDITION. |
|
SECTION 18. Article 17.44, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (e) and adding |
|
Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows: |
|
(a) A magistrate may require as a condition of release [on
|
|
bond] that the defendant submit to [:
|
|
[(1)] home confinement and electronic monitoring under |
|
the supervision of an agency designated by the magistrate. |
|
(a-1) On reasonable belief that a defendant is under the |
|
influence of alcohol or a controlled substance or on the finding |
|
that alcohol or a controlled substance related to the offense for |
|
which the defendant is charged, a magistrate may, if the magistrate |
|
determines that the condition will serve to reasonably ensure the |
|
defendant's appearance in court as required or the safety of the |
|
community or the victim of the alleged offense, require as a |
|
condition of release that the defendant: |
|
(1) submit to testing for alcohol or a controlled |
|
substance in the defendant's body; or |
|
(2) participate in an alcohol or drug abuse treatment |
|
or education program. |
|
(a-2) The attorney representing the state may not use the |
|
results of any test conducted under this chapter in a criminal |
|
proceeding arising out of the offense for which the defendant is |
|
charged [; or
|
|
[(2)
testing on a weekly basis for the presence of a
|
|
controlled substance in the defendant's body]. |
|
(c) The magistrate may revoke the bond and order the |
|
defendant arrested if the defendant: |
|
(1) violates a condition of home confinement and |
|
electronic monitoring; |
|
(2) refuses to: |
|
(A) submit to a test for alcohol or controlled |
|
substances; or |
|
(B) participate in an alcohol or drug abuse |
|
treatment or education program; |
|
(3) submits to a test for alcohol or controlled |
|
substances and the test indicates the presence of alcohol or a |
|
controlled substance in the defendant's body; or |
|
(4) [(3)] fails to pay the costs of monitoring, [or] |
|
testing for alcohol or controlled substances, or participating in a |
|
treatment or education program, if payment is ordered under |
|
Subsection (e) as a condition of release [bond] and the magistrate |
|
determines that the defendant is not indigent and is financially |
|
able to make the payments as ordered. |
|
(e) The cost of electronic monitoring, [or] testing for |
|
alcohol or controlled substances, or participating in a treatment |
|
or education program under this article may be assessed as court |
|
costs or ordered paid directly by the defendant as a condition of |
|
release [bond]. A magistrate may reduce or waive a cost described |
|
by this subsection if the magistrate determines that the defendant |
|
is indigent or demonstrates an inability to pay. |
|
SECTION 19. Article 17.441(a), Code of Criminal Procedure, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a magistrate shall |
|
require as a condition of [on] release that a defendant charged with |
|
a subsequent offense under Sections 49.04-49.06, Penal Code, or an |
|
offense under Section 49.07 or 49.08 of that code: |
|
(1) have installed on the motor vehicle owned by the |
|
defendant or on the vehicle most regularly driven by the defendant, |
|
a device that uses a deep-lung breath analysis mechanism to make |
|
impractical the operation of a motor vehicle if ethyl alcohol is |
|
detected in the breath of the operator; and |
|
(2) not operate any motor vehicle unless the vehicle |
|
is equipped with that device. |
|
SECTION 20. Article 17.45, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.45. CONDITIONS REQUIRING AIDS AND HIV INSTRUCTION. |
|
A magistrate may require as a condition of release [bond] that a |
|
defendant charged with an offense under Section 43.02, Penal Code, |
|
receive counseling or education, or both, relating to acquired |
|
immune deficiency syndrome or human immunodeficiency virus. |
|
SECTION 21. Article 17.46, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.46. CONDITIONS FOR A DEFENDANT CHARGED WITH |
|
STALKING. (a) A magistrate may require as a condition of release |
|
[on bond] that a defendant charged with an offense under Section |
|
42.072, Penal Code, may not: |
|
(1) communicate directly or indirectly with the |
|
victim; or |
|
(2) go to or near the residence, place of employment, |
|
or business of the victim or to or near a school, day-care facility, |
|
or similar facility where a dependent child of the victim is in |
|
attendance. |
|
(b) If the magistrate requires the prohibition contained in |
|
Subsection (a)(2) of this article as a condition of release [on
|
|
bond], the magistrate shall specifically describe the prohibited |
|
locations and the minimum distances, if any, that the defendant |
|
must maintain from the locations. |
|
SECTION 22. Article 17.47, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Art. 17.47. CONDITIONS REQUIRING SUBMISSION OF SPECIMEN. |
|
(a) A magistrate may require as a condition of release [on bail or
|
|
bond of a defendant] that a [the] defendant provide to a local law |
|
enforcement agency one or more specimens for the purpose of |
|
creating a DNA record under Subchapter G, Chapter 411, Government |
|
Code. |
|
(b) For [A magistrate shall require as a condition of
|
|
release on bail or bond of] a defendant described by Section |
|
411.1471(a), Government Code, a magistrate shall require as a |
|
condition of release that the defendant provide to a local law |
|
enforcement agency one or more specimens for the purpose of |
|
creating a DNA record under Subchapter G, Chapter 411, Government |
|
Code. |
|
SECTION 23. Articles 17.49(b), (d), (e), and (j), Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A magistrate may require as a condition of release [on
|
|
bond] that a defendant charged with an offense involving family |
|
violence: |
|
(1) refrain from going to or near a residence, school, |
|
place of employment, or other location, as specifically described |
|
in the bond, frequented by an alleged victim of the offense; |
|
(2) carry or wear a global positioning monitoring |
|
system device and, except as provided by Subsection (h), pay the |
|
costs associated with operating that system in relation to the |
|
defendant; or |
|
(3) except as provided by Subsection (h), if the |
|
alleged victim of the offense consents after receiving the |
|
information described by Subsection (d), pay the costs associated |
|
with providing the victim with an electronic receptor device that: |
|
(A) is capable of receiving the global |
|
positioning monitoring system information from the device carried |
|
or worn by the defendant; and |
|
(B) notifies the victim if the defendant is at or |
|
near a location that the defendant has been ordered to refrain from |
|
going to or near under Subdivision (1). |
|
(d) Before imposing a condition described by Subsection |
|
(b)(3), a magistrate must provide to an alleged victim information |
|
regarding: |
|
(1) the victim's right to participate in a global |
|
positioning monitoring system or to refuse to participate in that |
|
system and the procedure for requesting that the magistrate |
|
terminate the victim's participation; |
|
(2) the manner in which the global positioning |
|
monitoring system technology functions and the risks and |
|
limitations of that technology, and the extent to which the system |
|
will track and record the victim's location and movements; |
|
(3) any locations that the defendant is ordered to |
|
refrain from going to or near and the minimum distances, if any, |
|
that the defendant must maintain from those locations; |
|
(4) any sanctions that the court may impose on the |
|
defendant for violating a condition of release [bond] imposed under |
|
this article; |
|
(5) the procedure that the victim is to follow, and |
|
support services available to assist the victim, if the defendant |
|
violates a condition of release [bond] or if the global positioning |
|
monitoring system equipment fails; |
|
(6) community services available to assist the victim |
|
in obtaining shelter, counseling, education, child care, legal |
|
representation, and other assistance available to address the |
|
consequences of family violence; and |
|
(7) the fact that the victim's communications with the |
|
court concerning the global positioning monitoring system and any |
|
restrictions to be imposed on the defendant's movements are not |
|
confidential. |
|
(e) In addition to the information described by Subsection |
|
(d), a magistrate shall provide to an alleged victim who |
|
participates in a global positioning monitoring system under this |
|
article the name and telephone number of an appropriate person |
|
employed by a local law enforcement agency whom the victim may call |
|
to request immediate assistance if the defendant violates a |
|
condition of release [bond] imposed under this article. |
|
(j) A magistrate that imposes a condition described by |
|
Subsection (b)(1) or (2) shall order the entity that operates the |
|
global positioning monitoring system to notify the court and the |
|
appropriate local law enforcement agency if a defendant violates a |
|
condition of release [bond] imposed under this article. |
|
SECTION 24. Chapter 17, Code of Criminal Procedure, is |
|
amended by adding Articles 17.50, 17.51, and 17.52 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Art. 17.50. VIOLATION OF CONDITION OF RELEASE. (a) A court |
|
may, on its own motion or on the motion of the attorney representing |
|
the state, issue a summons or a warrant of arrest for a defendant if |
|
there is reason to believe that the defendant has violated a |
|
condition of release. A summons must order the defendant to appear |
|
before the court for a hearing on the violation on the date |
|
specified in the summons, which may not be later than the 30th day |
|
after the date the summons is issued. |
|
(b) An attorney representing the state may not file a motion |
|
requesting the issuance of a summons or warrant under Subsection |
|
(a) based solely on the defendant's alleged commission of an |
|
offense punishable by a fine only. |
|
Art. 17.51. HEARING ON VIOLATION OF CONDITION OF RELEASE. |
|
(a) The court must hold a hearing on an alleged violation of a |
|
condition of release before revoking a defendant's bail. The |
|
hearing must be held not later than: |
|
(1) the 10th day after the date the defendant is |
|
arrested; or |
|
(2) the 30th day after the date a summons is issued for |
|
the defendant. |
|
(b) If the court, on its own motion or on the motion of the |
|
attorney representing the state, announces its intention to revoke |
|
the bail of a defendant who is in custody on the underlying case, |
|
the defendant is entitled to a hearing not later than the 10th day |
|
after the date the court announces its intention. |
|
(c) If a revocation hearing is held following the filing of |
|
a motion by the attorney representing the state under Article |
|
17.50(a), the attorney representing the state must establish by a |
|
preponderance of the evidence that the defendant violated a |
|
condition of release. |
|
Art. 17.52. REVOCATION OF BAIL. (a) After a hearing under |
|
Article 17.51, the court may revoke the defendant's bail if the |
|
court finds: |
|
(1) by a preponderance of the evidence that the |
|
defendant violated a condition of release; and |
|
(2) by clear and convincing evidence that, considering |
|
all relevant circumstances, including the nature and seriousness of |
|
the alleged violation, monetary bail and conditions of release are |
|
insufficient to reasonably ensure the defendant's appearance in |
|
court as required or the safety of the community or the victim of |
|
the alleged offense. |
|
(b) A court that revokes the defendant's bail shall order |
|
that the defendant be immediately returned to custody. Once the |
|
defendant is placed in custody, the revocation of the defendant's |
|
bail discharges the sureties on the bail bond, if any, from any |
|
future liability on the bond. A discharge under this subsection |
|
from any future liability on the bail bond does not discharge any |
|
surety from liability for previous forfeitures on the bond. |
|
SECTION 25. Subchapter B, Chapter 22, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 22.113 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 22.113. DUTIES REGARDING BAIL. The court of criminal |
|
appeals may adopt rules as necessary to implement Chapter 17, Code |
|
of Criminal Procedure. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 54.737(c), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(c) The rules must provide that a criminal law magistrate |
|
judge may only release a defendant under Article 17.028(b) |
|
[17.031], Code of Criminal Procedure, under guidelines established |
|
by the council of judges. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 56.003(b), Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
(b) No more than one-third of the funds appropriated for any |
|
fiscal year shall be used for the continuing legal education of |
|
judges of appellate courts, district courts, county courts at law, |
|
county courts performing judicial functions, full-time associate |
|
judges and masters appointed pursuant to Chapter 201, Family Code, |
|
and [full-time] masters, magistrates, referees, and associate |
|
judges appointed pursuant to Chapter 54 or 54A as required by the |
|
court of criminal appeals under Section 74.025 and of their court |
|
personnel. |
|
SECTION 28. Subchapter C, Chapter 72, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 72.032 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 72.032. AUTOMATED PRETRIAL RISK ASSESSMENT SYSTEM. |
|
For purposes of Article 17.027, Code of Criminal Procedure, the |
|
office shall develop an automated pretrial risk assessment system |
|
and make the system available to judges and magistrates in this |
|
state. |
|
SECTION 29. The following provisions of the Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure are repealed: |
|
(1) Article 17.03; |
|
(2) Article 17.031; |
|
(3) Article 17.15; |
|
(4) Article 17.33; |
|
(5) Article 17.40; and |
|
(6) Sections 5(c) and 6(c), Article 17.42. |
|
SECTION 30. Not later than November 1, 2018, the Office of |
|
Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System shall develop the |
|
automated pretrial risk assessment system required by Section |
|
72.032, Government Code, as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 31. Not later than November 1, 2018, each judicial |
|
district shall adopt the pretrial risk assessment instrument |
|
required by Article 17.027, Code of Criminal Procedure, as added by |
|
this Act. |
|
SECTION 32. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
|
to a person who is arrested on or after November 1, 2018. A person |
|
arrested before November 1, 2018, is governed by the law in effect |
|
on the date the person was arrested, and the former law is continued |
|
in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 33. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of |
|
this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |
|
(b) Section 1 of this Act takes effect December 1, 2017, but |
|
only if the constitutional amendment proposed by the 85th |
|
Legislature, Regular Session, 2017, is approved by the voters to |
|
authorize the denial of pretrial release of a person accused of a |
|
noncapital offense if necessary to ensure the person's appearance |
|
in court and the safety of the community and the victim of the |
|
alleged offense. If that amendment is not approved by the voters, |
|
Section 1 of this Act has no effect. |