BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1457

By: Dominguez

Criminal Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that some attorneys who engage in the private practice of criminal law are ineligible to represent indigent defendants despite their expertise and the convenience of such an arrangement. H.B. 1457 seeks to address this issue by authorizing a public defender's office to employ these attorneys on a part-time basis for the sole purpose of providing counsel in relation to an indigent person's appearance 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. 1457 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to authorize an attorney engaged in the private practice of criminal law to be employed by a public defender's office on a part-time basis for the sole purpose of providing counsel in relation to an indigent person's applicable appearance before a magistrate.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.