Texas Senate Bill SB1200

Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

• Out of Senate Committee: 4/27/11
• Introduced: 3/4/11
• Voted on by Senate: 4/29/11
• Refer: 3/16/11
• Out of House Committee: 5/9/11
• Report Pass: 4/27/11
• Voted on by House: 5/25/11
• Engrossed: 4/29/11
• Governor Action: 6/17/11
• Enrolled: 5/26/11
• Passed: 6/17/11

Caption

Relating to the venue for prosecution of misdemeanor cases in justice of the peace courts located in certain counties.

Impact

The implications of SB1200 will be particularly pronounced in densely populated areas, where the volume of cases can be overwhelming for local courts. By allowing adjacent precincts to handle cases, the bill may improve the efficiency of the judicial process and provide a more timely resolution for defendants. This change can also be seen as a measure to facilitate the legal proceedings in populous regions, ensuring that justice is accessible without overwhelming a single precinct's resources.

Summary

SB1200 aims to amend the venue for the prosecution of misdemeanor cases in justice of the peace courts, specifically in counties with populations of 3.3 million or more. The bill allows for misdemeanor cases to be tried not only in the precinct where the offense was committed or where the defendant resides, but also in any adjacent precinct within the county. This alteration is significant as it introduces greater flexibility in the prosecutorial process, potentially alleviating congestion in court systems by permitting cases to be adjudicated in more accessible locations.

Contention

There may be concerns regarding the amendment among certain stakeholders, such as local elected officials and residents, who might view this change as a potential overreach that could lead to a dilution of localized justice. Critics may argue that adjudicating cases in nearby precincts could compromise the locality's understanding and context of the offenses, thus impacting the fairness of trials. Furthermore, this might also raise logistical issues for defendants and their counsel if they are required to travel to a different precinct for their court appearances.