Bill: HB 383, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
House Criminal Jurisprudence
Vote Recommendation
Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
Yes |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Positive |
Positive |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Jim Murphy
Bill Caption
Relating to enhancing the penalties for certain repeat and habitual
offenders.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would increase penalties for repeat and habitual offenders. For example if a person has committed a Class A misdemeanor, it would be automatically increased to a state jail felony charge if the individual has any felony convictions or four or more Class A misdemeanors. At least one of the previous convictions must have been a felony, and their previous convictions must have occurred within the previous ten years, in order to be eligible for an enhanced penalty under this bill. The bill provides similar enhancements for people with prior felony convictions. The bill also provides for judicial discretion in applying the sentence enhancements.
Vote Recommendation Notes
This bill addresses the need to provide appropriate sentencing for repeat and habitual offenders while giving judges discretion to order the sentence enhancements based on the facts of an individual case. This supports our limited government and personal responsibility principles. We support HB 383.
Organizations Supporting
Sheriffs' Association of Texas
Texas Municipal Police Association
Organizations Opposed
Mental Health America of Texas
Travis County Commissioners Court