NEWLY MINTED CRIMINAL LAWS HON. ELSA ALCALA Texas Court
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NEWLY MINTED CRIMINAL LAWS HON. ELSA ALCALA Texas Court of Criminal Appeals 201 W. 14th Street Austin, Texas 78701 State Bar of Texas 41ST ANNUAL ADVANCED CRIMINAL LAW COURSE July 27-30, 2015 San Antonio CHAPTER 29 Judge Elsa Alcala Judge Elsa Alcala is a judge on the Court of Criminal Appeals, the highest court for criminal cases in Texas. Before joining the Court, Judge Alcala was a justice on the First Court of Appeals for nine years and a judge on the 338th District Court in Houston for over three years. Before becoming a judge, she was an assistant district attorney for the Harris County District Attorney’s Office for nine years. She is a specialist both in criminal law and criminal appellate law as certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Newly Minted Criminal Laws Chapter 29 TABLE OF CONTENTS I. THE PENAL CODE ............................................................................................................................................... 1 A. SB 344 – Amended Felony, Online Solicitation of a Minor ........................................................................... 1 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 1 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 1 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 1 B. SB 1828 – New Felony, Cargo Theft .............................................................................................................. 2 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 2 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 2 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 2 C. SB 835 – New Misdemeanor, False Military Record ...................................................................................... 2 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 – Offense is a Class C Misdemeanor................................................................. 2 2. The Problem With the Current Law ........................................................................................................ 2 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 – Offense is a Class B Misdemeanor ...................................................... 2 D. SB 461 – New Misdemeanor, Abusable Synthetic Substances ....................................................................... 2 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 2 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 3 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 3 E. HB 975 – New Misdemeanor, Misconduct Related to Charitable Raffles ...................................................... 3 1. The Law Before 1/1/16 ............................................................................................................................ 3 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 3 3. The Law On and After 1/1/16 .................................................................................................................. 3 F. HB 207 – New Offense, Voyeurism ................................................................................................................ 3 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 3 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 3 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 3 G. HB 511 – Relating to Offenses Committed Against Persons in Custody........................................................ 4 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 4 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 4 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 4 H. HB 896 – Relating to Offense of Breach of Computer Security ..................................................................... 4 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 4 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 4 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 4 I. SB 473 – New Defense to Possession of Prohibited Explosive Weapons, Firearms, and Related Items........ 4 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 4 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 4 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 4 J. HB 1396 – Changing Punishment Ranges for Certain Offenses ..................................................................... 4 1. Law Before 9/1/15 ................................................................................................................................... 4 2. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 5 K. SB 11 – Defenses Related to Campus Carry ................................................................................................... 5 1. The Law Before 8/1/16 ............................................................................................................................ 5 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 5 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 5 L. SB 825 – Creating Additional Penalties for Prostitution ................................................................................. 6 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 6 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 6 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 6 M. HB 910 – Open Carry ...................................................................................................................................... 6 II. THE CODE OF CRIMINAL PROCEDURE .......................................................................................................... 6 A. SB 487 – Alters Standard for Post-Conviction DNA Testing ......................................................................... 6 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 6 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 6 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 6 i Newly Minted Criminal Laws Chapter 29 B. SB 888 – Interlocutory Appeal of Certification of Juvenile for Prosecution as an Adult ............................... 6 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 6 2. The Problem with the Current Law ......................................................................................................... 6 3. The Law On and After 9/1/15 .................................................................................................................. 7 C. HB 10 – Concerning Compelling Prostitution and Human Trafficking .......................................................... 7 1. The Law Before 9/1/15 ............................................................................................................................ 7 2. The Problem with the Current Law ........................................................................................................