Texas House Bill HB2145

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/23/09

Caption

Relating to the right of one immediate family member of certain deceased peace officers to make an oral statement regarding the terms of a plea bargain agreement.

Impact

The implementation of HB 2145 brings a notable shift in how family members of deceased peace officers can interact with the judicial process during plea negotiations. By enabling family members to participate, the bill attempts to acknowledge their emotional and personal stake in cases where their loved ones have been killed due to alleged criminal actions. This is expected to foster a more inclusive judicial process, allowing grieving families to express support or opposition regarding plea deals.

Summary

House Bill 2145 aims to grant immediate family members of certain deceased peace officers the legal right to make an oral statement concerning plea bargain agreements in related criminal cases. This legislative measure is particularly designed for instances where the peace officer has died as a result of criminal conduct, ensuring that the family has a voice in the judicial process. It mandates that the prosecuting attorney inform the family members of any plea bargain terms and their rights to express their opinions regarding these terms in court.

Contention

While the bill seems to uphold the rights of families, there might be concerns regarding potential delays in the legal process if family opinions are considered extensively in plea bargaining. Legal experts might debate whether this change could inadvertently complicate the resolution of cases, especially in scenarios where prompt justice is sought. Additionally, there could be concerns regarding how families are impacted by the emotional weight of such proceedings, which might influence their decisions regarding plea bargains significantly.