Texas House Bill HB1753

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

Caption

Relating to the criminal penalties and civil consequences for defendants convicted of an offense of graffiti and for juveniles adjudicated as having engaged in conduct involving graffiti.

Impact

The changes proposed by HB 1753 intend to enhance the accountability of defendants involved in graffiti-related offenses by increasing the financial ramifications attached to such activities. For adults, the bill raises the juvenile delinquency prevention and graffiti eradication fee from $50 to $100, establishing a stronger monetary deterrent. Additionally, the bill imposes community service requirements for juveniles with prior graffiti conduct adjudications, thereby aiming to encourage rehabilitation through civic engagement.

Summary

House Bill 1753 seeks to amend the penalties and consequences for offenses related to graffiti, specifically targeting both adults convicted of the crime and juveniles adjudicated for related conduct. The bill introduces new fees associated with court proceedings and mandates community service for repeat juvenile offenders. A significant aspect of this legislation is the increase in fines and the establishment of a dedicated graffiti eradication fund, aimed at addressing the financial implications of these offenses on local communities.

Contention

While the bill is primarily focused on reducing graffiti and its impacts on communities, there may be concerns regarding the enforcement and application of the increased fees and community service orders. Critics might argue that such penalties could disproportionately affect low-income individuals and families. Furthermore, there may be debates surrounding the effectiveness of financial penalties versus community service in genuinely deterring graffiti offenses, as well as concerns about the appropriate allocation and use of fees collected under this legislation.