Texas House Bill HB158

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the use of certain previous convictions for enhancing the criminal penalty for certain subsequent criminal offenses.

Impact

The changes proposed under HB158 will affect the legal context in which penalties are enhanced in Texas. By clarifying that previous convictions used as a basis for enhancing penalties can only serve as such when considered under their original offense classification, the bill seeks to reduce the extent of penalty enhancements that can be applied in future cases. This could lead to a more equitable legal process for defendants with prior convictions, ensuring that they are not excessively penalized based on their criminal history.

Summary

House Bill 158 focuses on the legal framework for enhancing criminal penalties based on previous convictions. Specifically, it introduces amendments to Subchapter D of Chapter 12 of the Texas Penal Code, delineating how prior convictions may be leveraged to increase the severity of penalties for subsequent offenses. The bill essentially dictates that a defendant's previous offense can only be applied for enhancement based on its original classification, disregarding any prior enhancements that may have increased its severity. This aims to standardize the criteria for how past convictions affect future sentencing.

Contention

Notable points of contention around HB158 could arise from differing opinions on how previous convictions should influence penalties for new crimes. Supporters of the bill may argue that it enhances fairness in sentencing by limiting the potential for overly punitive measures against individuals with a history of convictions. Conversely, critics might express concerns that the bill could lead to leniency for repeat offenders, thereby compromising public safety. This tension between rehabilitation and deterrence within the criminal justice system likely underscores the debates surrounding the bill.