Bill Text: TX HB747 | 2021-2022 | 87th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to spoliation of evidence held for use in a criminal proceeding.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-03-01 - Referred to Criminal Jurisprudence [HB747 Detail]

Download: Texas-2021-HB747-Introduced.html
  87R5050 JSC-D
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 747
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to spoliation of evidence held for use in a criminal
  proceeding.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Chapter 38, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
  amended by adding Article 38.495 to read as follows:
         Art. 38.495.  SPOLIATION OF EVIDENCE. (a)  Except as
  permitted under other law and subject to Subsection (b), the state
  shall preserve evidence in the possession, custody, or control of
  the state and may not permit the destruction, alteration, or loss of
  that evidence.
         (b)  Subsection (a) does not apply to a destruction,
  alteration, or loss of evidence that reasonably occurs in the
  course of forensic analysis, as that term is defined by Section 2,
  Article 38.01. 
         (c)  Subject to Subsection (d), evidence and testimony
  relating to an allegation that the state, by act or omission, caused
  the destruction, alteration, or loss of evidence held for use in a
  criminal proceeding are admissible and may be used by the defendant
  to make a showing of spoliation of evidence under this article.
         (d)  In determining the admissibility of evidence or
  testimony relating to an allegation described by Subsection (c),
  the court shall determine, out of the presence of the jury and by a
  preponderance of the evidence, whether spoliation of evidence
  occurred in violation of Subsection (a).  If practicable, the court
  shall make the determination under this subsection before trial
  using the procedures under Article 28.01 of this code and Rule 104,
  Texas Rules of Evidence.
         (e)  The party alleging spoliation of evidence in violation
  of Subsection (a) is not required to show that:
               (1)  the actor's sole intent was to wrongfully cause the
  destruction, alteration, or loss of the evidence; or
               (2)  the actions of the actor constituted a criminal
  offense.
         (f)  A conviction for an offense under Section 37.09, Penal
  Code, creates a presumption of spoliation of evidence under this
  article.
         (g)  If it is shown during a proceeding under Subsection (d)
  that the violation of Subsection (a) was intentional, knowing,
  reckless, or negligent, at trial the court shall instruct the jury
  to presume that the destroyed, altered, or lost evidence would have
  been favorable to the defendant and unfavorable to the state.
         (h)  If it is shown during a proceeding under Subsection (d)
  that the violation of Subsection (a) was intentional, the court may
  impose additional sanctions on the state or dismiss any criminal
  charges with prejudice.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies to a
  criminal proceeding that commences on or after the effective date
  of this Act. A criminal proceeding that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
feedback