Bill Text: TX SB62 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to an oral statement regarding the impact of an offense in certain cases involving a violent crime.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-01-31 - Referred to Criminal Justice [SB62 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB62-Introduced.html
  82R641 SJM-F
 
  By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 62
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to an oral statement regarding the impact of an offense in
  certain cases involving a violent crime.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 56, Code of Criminal
  Procedure, is amended by adding Article 56.031 to read as follows:
         Art. 56.031. ORAL STATEMENT RELATING TO VICTIM IMPACT. (a)
  After a court enters a finding of guilt or order of deferred
  adjudication, but before the imposition of a sentence by the court,
  the court shall permit a victim, close relative of a deceased
  victim, or guardian of a victim to appear in person to present to
  the court an oral statement about the offense and the effect of the
  offense on the victim.
         (b)  The court shall:
               (1)  consider the information before sentencing the
  defendant; and
               (2)  permit the defendant or the defendant's counsel an
  opportunity to:
                     (A)  cross-examine the person making the oral
  statement;
                     (B)  comment on the oral statement; and
                     (C)  with the approval of the court, introduce
  testimony or other information alleging a factual inaccuracy in the
  oral statement.
         (c)  The presentation and consideration of an oral statement
  under this article is in addition to the consideration of a written
  victim impact statement under Article 56.03 and does not preclude
  the presentation of a statement after sentence is pronounced under
  Article 42.03.
         (d)  This article does not apply if punishment is to be
  assessed by a jury.
         SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
  to a sentencing proceeding that commences on or after the effective
  date of this Act. A sentencing proceeding that commences before the
  effective date of this Act is covered by the law in effect when the
  sentencing proceeding commenced, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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