By:
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Fletcher H.B.
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No.
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121A BILL TO BE ENTITLEDAN ACTrelating to an alternative means of payment of certain criminalfines and court costs.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:SECTION
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1.
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The heading to Chapter 103, Code of CriminalProcedure, is amended to read as follows:CHAPTER 103. PAYMENT, COLLECTION, AND RECORDKEEPINGSECTION
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2.
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Chapter 103, Code of Criminal Procedure, isamended by adding Article 103.0025 to read as follows:Art.
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103.0025.
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ALTERNATIVE PAYMENT PROCEDURE FOR CERTAINFINES AND COSTS. (a) This article applies only to payment of:(1)
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a fine and court costs associated with the allegedcommission of a Class C misdemeanor by a defendant; and(2)
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a judgment for fines and court costs of a defendantconvicted of any offense, if a capias pro fine has been issued inthe case.(b)
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Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the courtmay adopt an alternative procedure for collecting an outstandingpayment described by Subsection (a). Under the procedure, a peaceofficer making an arrest of a defendant:(1)
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shall inform the defendant of:(A)
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the possibility of making an immediatepayment of the fine and related court costs by use of a credit ordebit card; and123456789101112131415161718192021222324
84R1970 ADM-F
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(B)
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the defendant
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s available alternatives tomaking an immediate payment; and(2)
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may accept, on behalf of the court, the defendant
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simmediate payment of the fine and related court costs by use of acredit or debit card, after which the peace officer must release thedefendant.SECTION
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3.
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This Act takes effect immediately if it receivesa vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, asprovided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If thisAct does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, thisAct takes effect September 1, 2015.1234567891011H.B.
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No.
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121
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