Texas Senate Bill SB1554

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to the consideration of the views of a close relative of a deceased victim regarding the imposition of the death penalty in a capital case.

Impact

The bill's enactment would signify a pivotal shift in how the death penalty is approached in Texas by embedding the perspectives of victims’ families into the capital sentencing framework. This could influence jurors' decision-making processes and potentially lead to increased considerations for life sentences instead of death sentences based on the personal moral implications presented by the victim’s family. As such, it may alter sentencing outcomes in certain cases, fostering a more holistic approach to justice that incorporates the affected families' emotions and views.

Summary

SB1554 seeks to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure in Texas by allowing the views of close relatives of deceased victims to be considered during the sentencing phase of capital cases where the death penalty is sought. Specifically, it modifies Article 37.071 to ensure that the opinions of these relatives regarding the imposition of the death penalty are taken into account alongside other mitigating factors such as the defendant's character and the circumstances of the offense. The focus of the bill is to enhance the jury's deliberation process by broadening the context in which they assess the appropriateness of the death penalty.

Contention

Notably, the introduction of this amendment may raise points of contention among various stakeholders. Critics may argue that this provision could lead to emotional bias in jurors, thus complicating the already fraught decision-making process regarding the death penalty. Additionally, there may be concerns about the extent to which familial views should influence judicial outcomes, particularly in cases where the lack of unanimous agreement could impact the final verdict. Supporters argue that it humanizes the judicial process and provides a needed voice for victims’ families, which has been historically sidelined.