Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Texas House Bill HB2827

Filed
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle and to grants of community supervision to persons who commit that offense.

Impact

The passage of HB 2827 would significantly reshape existing laws related to vehicle burglary, emphasizing a more structured penalty framework. The specifics of the bill stipulate that if an individual commits multiple offenses within a 24-hour period, those can be aggregated to determine a more severe charge, thereby addressing repeat offenders more efficiently. This move is expected to deter potential vehicle burglaries by raising the potential consequences and reinforcing law enforcement's authority to act against habitual offenders. Additionally, the bill permits certain defenses for defendants regarding their employment during the offense, which factors into the legal interpretations of vehicle burglary cases.

Summary

House Bill 2827 addresses the penalties associated with the offense of burglary of a vehicle and modifies the statutes regarding community supervision for offenders. The bill outlines a tiered approach to classifying the severity of the offense based on the financial loss to tangible personal property. A burglary of a vehicle is classified as a Class B misdemeanor if the loss is under $500, escalating to felony charges for losses exceeding $200,000. This classification aims to reflect the varying degrees of theft and property damage, intending to impose appropriate penalties based on the crimes' impact.

Contention

While proponents argue that the bill rationalizes penalties and enhances accountability for vehicle burglaries, critics may express concerns regarding the legislation’s reliance on monetary thresholds, potentially leading to disparities in treatment based on economic circumstances. Given the variations in individuals' abilities to recover from theft or damage, some stakeholders worry that victims of lower-value thefts may feel less supported under this new framework. The adjustments to penalties also call into question the balance between punishment and rehabilitation, particularly through community supervision provisions, raising debates about how effectively these measures can deter criminal behavior.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

TX HB261

Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle.

TX HB1629

Relating to changing the eligibility for community supervision of a person convicted of certain burglary offenses.

TX SB1518

Relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism.

TX HB4968

Relating to the establishment of a terrorist offender registry and to the supervision of those terrorist offenders; creating criminal offenses related to terrorism.

TX SB1185

Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle involving theft of a firearm; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX SB1166

Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle involving theft of a firearm; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB3854

Relating to creating the criminal offense of possession of an animal by a person convicted of multiple offenses involving animal cruelty and to conditions of punishment and community supervision for defendants convicted of certain criminal offenses involving animals.

TX HB2019

Relating to the statute of limitations for certain burglary offenses.

TX HB1316

Relating to the prosecution and punishment of certain criminal offenses involving the smuggling of persons or the operation of a stash house; increasing criminal penalties.

TX HB1402

Relating to the criminal penalties for certain criminal offenses.

Similar Bills

TX HB2849

Relating to the punishment for certain offenses against property or against public administration.

CA AB1151

Fire damages: civil actions: pecuniary damages and ecological and environmental damages.

TX SB46

Relating to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of criminal mischief involving tampering with a state-owned barrier or part of a barrier used to prevent travel across the international border of this state.

TX HB381

Relating to the punishment for the offense of burglary of a vehicle; increasing a criminal penalty.

TX HB1530

Relating to the punishment for certain offenses against property or against public administration.

TX SB393

Relating to the punishment for certain offenses against property or against public administration.

NJ S873

Upgrades offense of criminal mischief if person damages or impairs operation of school bus in the presence of child under age 16.

NJ S660

Upgrades offense of criminal mischief if person damages or impairs operation of school bus in the presence of child under age 16.