Bill
HB 1820
85(R) - 2017
House Criminal Jurisprudence
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Courts
Criminal Procedure
Vote Recommendation
Yes
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Neutral
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Positive
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Neutral
Author(s)
Drew Springer
Bill Caption
Relating to a presumption regarding certain evidence of a prior conviction in a criminal proceeding.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would allow self-authenticating documents that relate to a prior conviction to be entered into evidence and therefore establish a presumption for the existence of a prior conviction for the person named in the document. Procedures would be established for submitting and disputing such a document.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill is largely procedural rather than substantive in our view, however it would add some efficiency and perhaps some cost reductions to the legal system in applicable cases with no apparent harm to due process for a defendant. We support HB 1820 because increasing government efficiency without infringing on the rights of defendants satisfies our commitment to limited government.