Texas 2011 - 82nd Regular

Texas House Bill HB934

Filed
 
Out of House Committee
4/27/11  
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to an administrative fee for defendants required by a court to perform community service in lieu of serving a term of confinement in county jail.

Impact

The implementation of HB934 will have significant implications for defendants required to complete community service. By permitting courts to levy an administrative fee, the bill introduces a new financial burden on those individuals, potentially impacting their ability to fulfill community service obligations. The fee structure is designed to ensure that courts can recoup some of the costs involved in managing these sentences, although it could create additional hardships for low-income defendants who may struggle to pay.

Summary

House Bill 934 addresses the issue of administrative fees imposed on defendants who are mandated by the court to perform community service instead of serving jail time. The bill proposes an amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically adding a new provision that allows courts to charge a fee of up to $50 for administering these community service requirements. This change is intended to help cover the administrative costs associated with overseeing community service sentences.

Contention

There may be points of contention surrounding HB934 regarding the equity of imposing an administrative fee on defendants. Critics of the bill might argue that charging such fees disproportionately affects disadvantaged individuals who may already face financial struggles. Additionally, there could be discussions concerning the appropriateness of implementing financial penalties in a criminal justice system that aims to rehabilitate rather than punish. Supporters might counter that the fee is modest and helps maintain the integrity and infrastructure of community service programs.

Companion Bills

TX SB382

Identical Relating to an administrative fee for defendants required by a court to perform community service in lieu of serving a term of confinement in county jail.

Previously Filed As

TX HB2733

Relating to the confinement in a county jail of certain defendants who are incompetent to stand trial and to the compensation to the county for the costs of that confinement.

TX SB1313

Relating to the confinement in a county jail of certain defendants who are incompetent to stand trial and to the compensation to the county for the costs of that confinement.

TX HB3530

Relating to the confinement in a county jail of certain defendants who are incompetent to stand trial and to the compensation to the county for the costs of that confinement.

TX HB2141

Relating to a hearing for an alleged violation of community supervision by a defendant and the manner in which that defendant is required to appear before the court.

TX HB3363

Relating to the confinement or detention of certain individuals in a county jail or other facility operated by or for the county and to the compensation to the county for the costs of that confinement or detention.

TX HB1528

Relating to magistration proceedings for criminal defendants and the retention of related records, to services and representation provided to indigent criminal defendants and indigent juveniles, and to the governance and administration of the Texas Indigent Defense Commission.

TX HB303

Relating to a justice or municipal court's authority to order a defendant confined in jail for failure to pay a fine or cost or for contempt and to the authority of a municipality to enforce the collection of certain fines by imprisonment of the defendant.

TX HB2620

Relating to the confinement in a county jail of a person pending a transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and to compensation to a county for certain costs of confinement.

TX HB3375

Relating to access to communication services for inmates and state jail defendants.

TX HB476

Relating to the release of certain defendants detained in jail pending trial.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.