HBA-CBW S.B. 1681 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1681
By: Jackson
Criminal Jurisprudence
4/30/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, there is some confusion as to whether the payment of certain
amounts or fines sufficiently indicates a person's intent to waive his or
her right to a jury trial.  Senate Bill 1681 provides that the payment of
certain amounts or fines constitutes a waiver of a jury trial in writing. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 1681 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure to provide that
payment of a fine or an amount accepted by the court,  in a misdemeanor
case for which the maximum possible punishment is by fine only, constitutes
a waiver of a jury trial in writing. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.