Texas House Bill HB692

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/9/09
• Voted on by House: 5/12/09

Caption

Relating to the jurisdiction of statutory county courts.

Impact

The implications of HB 692 are significant in terms of legal procedures within Texas's judicial framework. By allowing statutory county courts to handle certain felony cases concurrently with district courts, the bill could alleviate congestion in district courts and enable a more efficient case management process. The modification emphasizes the importance of statutory county courts in managing criminal actions and reflects a legislative intention to create a more streamlined judicial process for misdemeanors and state jail felonies.

Summary

House Bill 692 addresses the jurisdiction of statutory county courts in Texas, specifically amending the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code. The bill modifies Article 4.07 to grant county courts original jurisdiction over all misdemeanors, which are not exclusively assigned to justice courts, and expands their authority by granting them concurrent jurisdiction with district courts concerning state jail felony cases. This enhancement of jurisdiction aims to clarify the roles and powers of county courts within the Texas judicial system.

Contention

While the changes proposed in HB 692 aim to strengthen the role of county courts, they might introduce debates over the distribution of cases among different levels of courts. Proponents argue that this concurrent jurisdiction will enhance judicial efficiency, while opponents may raise concerns regarding the potential for overlapping jurisdictions and the implications of such overlaps on the judicial process. The bill is designed to take effect on September 1, 2009, and only applies to criminal actions filed after this date, potentially creating a transitional phase in case handling as jurisdictions shift.