Texas House Bill HB3289

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the procedures for certain technical violations of community supervision.

Impact

The implementation of HB 3289 would shift the response of the judiciary towards technical violations of community supervision. Under the proposed changes, if a judge finds that a defendant has committed a technical violation, they would not have the option to revoke the supervision. Instead, they would be permitted to continue, extend, or modify the terms of supervision. This change is designed to reduce the number of individuals incarcerated for minor violations and promote rehabilitation over punishment, aligning with contemporary approaches in criminal justice reform.

Summary

House Bill 3289 addresses the procedures related to certain technical violations of community supervision in Texas. The bill aims to modify existing criminal procedure statutes, specifically adding a new article to address scenarios where individuals under community supervision violate conditions set for their supervision. Notably, it delineates which violations are included and excludes those tied to serious offenses or prior felony convictions, thereby providing a more lenient approach for less severe infractions among supervised individuals.

Contention

There are possible points of contention surrounding HB 3289, particularly regarding its potential implications on public safety and accountability. Opponents may argue that this bill could lead to reduced accountability for those under supervision, potentially impacting community safety. Supporters, however, may contend that the bill facilitates a more humanistic approach to supervision, allowing individuals to understand and correct their behaviors without facing the severe consequence of incarceration, especially for minor or technical infractions.