Loading chat...

TX SB2047

Bill

Status

Introduced

3/7/2025

Primary Sponsor

Paul Bettencourt

Click for details

Origin

Senate

89th Legislature Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Creates a new cause of action allowing crime victims (or their estates if deceased) to sue judges or magistrates who improperly released defendants on personal bond when those defendants subsequently commit offenses while released

  • Applies specifically when the original offense for which the defendant was released on personal bond involved violence, as defined in Article 17.03 of the Code of Criminal Procedure

  • Requires that the judge or magistrate violated Article 17.03(b-2) of the Code of Criminal Procedure regarding personal bond restrictions for the lawsuit to proceed

  • Caps damages at $10 million and explicitly prohibits judges and magistrates from asserting judicial immunity or other forms of immunity as a defense

  • Takes effect September 1, 2025, and applies only to personal bond releases occurring on or after that date

Legislative Description

Relating to liability of judges and magistrates for the improper release on personal bond of defendants accused of committing certain felony offenses.

Criminal Procedure

Last Action

Referred to Criminal Justice

3/17/2025

Committee Referrals

Criminal Justice3/17/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available