Relating to the administration of veterans treatment court programs, the expunction of arrest records and files for certain participants who successfully complete a program, and the issuance of orders of nondisclosure for participants convicted of a misdemeanor; changing a fee.
Impact
The bill amends existing laws, specifically the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code, to facilitate the expunction of certain criminal records based on participation in veterans treatment court programs. This opens the door for more veterans to benefit from remediation avenues, particularly those suffering from mental health issues or mental disorders related to their military service. The proposed changes are designed to streamline the judicial process concerning these expunctions and emphasize rehabilitation over punishment.
Summary
House Bill 1740 focuses on improving the administration of veterans treatment court programs in Texas. The bill aims to provide a clearer path for veterans and active military members who have been arrested for misdemeanors, allowing them to have their arrest records expunged upon the successful completion of such programs. This legislation introduces significant changes to the processes surrounding the expunction of criminal records for individuals who successfully complete treatment, thereby offering a chance for a fresh start to those affected by their arrests.
Contention
Notably, the bill specifies that those who entered the treatment court program due to a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated causing bodily injury would not be eligible for nondisclosure orders. This aspect of the legislation could become a point of contention, as it balances the need for public safety against the potential for sympathetic treatment of veterans undergoing rehabilitative processes. Such stipulations highlight ongoing debates regarding the treatment of veterans in the judicial system, specifically concerning their unique challenges and circumstances.
Relating to the automatic expunction of arrest records and files for certain public safety employees who successfully complete a public safety employees treatment court program.
Relating to the automatic expunction of arrest records and files for certain public safety employees who successfully complete a public safety employees treatment court program.
Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files when a grand jury fails to find that probable cause exists to believe the alleged offense was committed.
Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files for certain defendants placed on deferred adjudication community supervision for the unlawful carrying of a handgun.
Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files for persons who complete certain court programs or pretrial intervention programs.
Relating to the procedures for the expunction of arrest records and files for persons who complete certain court programs or pretrial intervention programs.
Relating to the redesignation of veterans court programs as veterans treatment court programs, the administration of those programs, the expunction of arrest records and files for certain participants who successfully complete a program, and the issuance of orders of nondisclosure for participants convicted of a misdemeanor; changing a fee.
Relating to a criminal defendant's incompetency to stand trial, to certain related time credits, and to the maximum period allowed for restoration of the defendant to competency.
Relating to a criminal defendant's incompetency to stand trial, to certain related time credits, and to the maximum period allowed for restoration of the defendant to competency.
Relating to procedures regarding criminal defendants who are or may be persons with a mental illness or an intellectual disability and to the period for which a person may be committed to receive certain temporary mental health services.
Relating to procedures regarding criminal defendants who are or may be persons with a mental illness or an intellectual disability and to certain duties of the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System related to persons with mental illness.