| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Positive | Neutral |
Relating to the issuance of a citation for a criminal trespass offense punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 961 would give peace officers the discretion of issuing a citation to a person charged with committing the Class B misdemeanor offense of criminal trespass instead of taking the person before a magistrate.
Texas Action supports SB 961 because it advances the principle of limited government. This bill allows an officer to issue a citation for Criminal Trespass instead of arresting the offender and holding them until they can be brought before a magistrate. This decreases the cost of housing a non-violent offender and reduces the burden on courts.