Texas Senate Bill SB1243

Texas 2017 - 85th Regular

Caption

Relating to the creation of the offense of improper contact with an adult victim of a criminal offense and providing certain rights to a victim and the victim's family regarding contact by an inmate or an inmate's representative.

Impact

The legislation amends existing provisions in the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Government Code to integrate these protections. It establishes a framework that dictates the conditions under which inmates can communicate with their victims or the victims' families. Furthermore, it lays out strict guidelines for inmates or their representatives by holding them accountable for adhering to the consent requirements. Such provisions are designed to mitigate the psychological stress that victims may endure post-offense, thereby fostering a sense of safety and security for victims' families.

Summary

SB1243 seeks to establish new provisions regarding the interaction between inmates and the victims of their crimes. It particularly focuses on creating the offense of 'improper contact' with adult victims of criminal offenses. This includes specifying that victims, guardians, or close relatives of deceased victims have the right to consent to any contact initiated by the defendant or their representatives during the term of imprisonment. The provisions aim to protect victims and their families from unsolicited communication from the offenders who harmed them, thereby enhancing victim rights in the criminal justice system.

Contention

While many support the bill as a necessary step in providing greater rights and protections for crime victims, there may be concerns regarding its implementation and effectiveness. Critics might argue about the potential challenges in enforcing these provisions, especially considering the logistics of communication verification between inmates and victims. Additionally, discussions around the rights of inmates, including their representation, could create a contentious debate over whether this legislation undermines their rights in the criminal justice system. As such, the bill may generate further conversations surrounding the balance of rights between victims and offenders.