TX
Texas Senate Bill SB1272

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1272

Voted on by Senate
 
Out of House Committee
 
Voted on by House
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

Impact

The proposed legislation is anticipated to strengthen the penalties associated with violent crimes against law enforcement officials, thereby enhancing protections for police officers in Texas. This increase in penalties reflects a legislative intent to deter potential aggressors from attempting capital murder against peace officers, signaling a commitment to uphold public safety and support law enforcement operations across the state. Moreover, the revision in parole eligibility for those convicted under the provisions of this bill indicates a tightening of release conditions for individuals involved in serious crimes against officers, serving as an additional deterrent.

Summary

SB1272 seeks to amend the Texas Penal Code and Government Code with respect to the punishment for the offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer. This bill proposes to categorize attempted capital murder against a peace officer as a first-degree felony, escalating the current legal repercussions for such an offense. As a first-degree felony, the punishment would range from a mandatory 25 years up to life imprisonment, which marks a significant increase from lower-level classifications previously applied to comparable offenses.

Contention

While supporters of SB1272 argue that the bill addresses the critical need for law enforcement protection and acknowledges the seriousness of offenses against peace officers, there exists a potential concern regarding the implications this might have on the broader justice system. Critics may argue that increasing penalties and altering parole eligibility could lead to overcrowded prisons and longer sentences, which may not address the underlying issues of crime. Furthermore, the bill's focus on specific offenses might spark discussions on whether such measures adequately address all forms of violence against law enforcement or if they disproportionately affect certain demographics within the state.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Government Code

  • Chapter 508. Parole And Mandatory Supervision
    • Section: 145
    • Section: 149

Penal Code

  • Chapter 15. Preparatory Offenses
    • Section: 01
  • Chapter 19. Criminal Homicide
    • Section: 03

Companion Bills

TX HB1871

Identical Relating to the punishment for the criminal offense of attempted capital murder of a peace officer; increasing a criminal penalty; changing eligibility for parole and mandatory supervision.

Previously Filed As

TX HB3983

Relating to changing the eligibility for release on parole or to mandatory supervision of a person convicted of certain violent offenses.

TX HB2742

Relating to increasing criminal penalties for the manufacture or delivery of certain controlled substances; changing the eligibility for community supervision, deferred adjudication community supervision, or mandatory supervision.

TX HB2599

Relating to prohibiting the possession of a firearm by a person in a criminal street gang; creating a criminal offense; increasing criminal penalties; changing eligibility for community supervision.

TX HB4843

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited, to certain consequences on conviction of certain of those offenses, and to increasing the criminal penalty for the offense of unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony.

TX SB23

Relating to increasing the minimum term of imprisonment and changing the eligibility for community supervision and parole for certain felony offenses in which a firearm is used or exhibited and to certain consequences on conviction of certain offenses.

TX HB1728

Relating to the release on bail of certain defendants accused of committing a felony offense and the criminal consequences of committing a felony while released on bail for a prior felony; creating a criminal offense; increasing the minimum term of imprisonment for certain felonies; changing eligibility for deferred adjudication community supervision, mandatory supervision, and parole.

TX SB955

Relating to the release on parole of certain youthful offenders; changing parole eligibility.

TX HB1577

Relating to changing the eligibility for mandatory supervision of an inmate serving a sentence for or previously convicted of certain assaults.

TX HB208

Relating to the punishment for certain controlled substance offenses committed in a drug-free zone; increasing criminal penalties.

TX HB213

Relating to jury instructions regarding parole eligibility and the release on parole of certain inmates convicted of an offense committed when younger than 18 years of age; changing parole eligibility.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.