House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence - 67th R.S. (1981)

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Committee Members

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Charges

• Review federal and state wiretap statutes and court cases related to wiretapping and electronic surveillance to determine if pen registers, devices which record the numbers dialed by a particular telephone, are covered by the procedures, restrictions and safeguards of the state wire communications laws. *

• Compare Texas' statutes with those of other states to assess differences in programs and compensation for counsel appointed to defend indigents.

• Compare our penalty schedule, including the habitual criminal law, and our recidivism rates to those of other states to determine if any other penalty schedule tends to reduce recidivism more than our present penalty schedule.

• Consider whether the Courts of Appeals are able to effectively accomplish their constitutional and statutory duties in disposing of intermediate criminal appeals. Determine what resources are necessary to allow the Courts of Appeals to handle the larger load of criminal cases. *

• Make recommendations for clarifying the status of habeas corpus orders issued by Courts of Appeals.*

• Monitor the implementation of HB 360, 67th R.S..

• Monitor the implementation of SJR 36, 67th R.S., through the requirements set by SB 265, 67th R.S..

• Oversight functions shall be conducted for all appropriations-related actions of those agencies assigned to this committee for appropriative purposes during the 67th Regular Session of the Legislature. In addition, a study should be made of the impact of any federal cuts, and the differences in the operational aspect of the agencies under block vs. categorical grants. Close scrutiny should be given to each agency to ascertain if legislative intent is being carried out in the rules promulgated by the agency and if the rules are feasible and practical in their application. These agencies include:
  Criminal Justice Planning (Office of the Governor)
  Court of Criminal Appeals
  State Prosecuting Attorney before the Court of Criminal Appeals
  Texas Prosecutors Coordinating Council

• Monitor the reorganization of the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office as authorized by HB 367, 67th R.S..

• Study the current constitutional and statutory requirements for indictments in regard to the prevention of appeals based on deficiencies in form.

• Review the differences between our system for dealing with juvenile offenders and our system for dealing with adult offenders. Determine if this separation of treatment continues to be the most effective method of operation.

* This represents an abstract of the report contents. Charge text is incomplete or unavailable.

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