Relating to a local community supervision and corrections department monitoring certain conditions of bond and the administrative fees associated with certain department services.
Impact
The enactment of SB879 will significantly alter how local community supervision departments operate within Texas. With the ability to impose these administrative fees, the bill enables corrections departments to generate additional revenue to support their services. This shift could improve the availability and quality of supervision programs available to defendants but poses financial challenges for those with low income or constrained economic situations. Additionally, the bill standardizes the monitoring process, potentially enhancing the consistency of supervision across different regions in Texas.
Summary
SB879 seeks to authorize local community supervision and corrections departments to oversee certain conditions of bond for defendants. Specifically, it allows magistrates in Texas to designate community supervision agencies to verify the installation of monitoring devices for defendants. The legislation introduces a tiered system of fees, whereby defendants may pay an administrative fee, ranging from $25 to $60 monthly, depending on the circumstances of their supervision programs. This bill is part of a broader effort to create more efficient management of community supervision processes and reduce costs associated with monitoring offenders.
Contention
While supporters argue that the bill streamlines processes and provides necessary funding for community corrections, critics express concern over the potential burden of administrative fees on low-income defendants. There is a fear that imposing these fees, even within the proposed range, could lead to further financial hardship or disincentivize compliance with supervision conditions. This debate reflects wider discussions about the ethics of charging fees in the criminal justice system, particularly regarding individuals who may already be facing difficulties reintegrating into society after incarceration.
Relating to jury instructions regarding parole eligibility, to certain conditions of bail and community supervision, and to the early termination of community supervision and the dismissal and discharge of deferred adjudication community supervision.
Relating to the representation of a community supervision and corrections department in cases in which a person under the supervision of that department challenges the fact or duration of the supervision.
Relating to the carrying of weapons by community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers and to criminal liability for taking a weapon from certain of those officers.
Relating to the carrying of weapons by community supervision and corrections department officers, juvenile probation officers, and certain retired law enforcement officers and to criminal liability for taking a weapon from certain of those officers.
Relating to certain requirements of protective orders and conditions of release on bond and to the criminal penalties for violating those requirements and conditions.
Relating to the release on bail of certain defendants accused of committing a felony offense and the criminal consequences of committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony; creating a criminal offense; increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felonies; changing eligibility for deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole.