Texas House Bill HB2090

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to a written statement made by an accused as a result of custodial interrogation.

Impact

The impact of HB 2090 is significant for both law enforcement and individuals accused of crimes. By providing clearer guidelines on how statements should be documented during interrogations, the bill aims to safeguard the rights of the accused and ensure that their statements are admissible in court. This change highlights the importance of proper record-keeping and witness verification in the criminal justice process, which could ultimately affect the outcomes of trials and the administration of justice.

Summary

House Bill 2090 relates to the procedural aspects of obtaining and recording written statements made by an accused during custodial interrogation. The bill amends Article 38.22 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, specifically outlining what constitutes a written statement by an accused person. The updated language clarifies that a statement can be handwritten by the accused or made in a language they understand, accompanied either by the accused's signature or a mark if they are unable to write, as long as the mark is witnessed by someone other than a peace officer. This aims to ensure the integrity and acknowledgment of the accused's statement during legal proceedings.

Contention

While HB 2090 has the potential to streamline procedures related to custodial interrogations, it may raise questions about the balance between law enforcement practices and the rights of the accused. There could be concerns regarding how rigorously these new requirements will be enforced and whether they might inadvertently complicate legitimate interrogation practices. Furthermore, discussions around whether additional training for law enforcement personnel is needed to comply with the amendments might emerge, leading to debates about resource allocation and procedural adaptions within police departments.