Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

_________________________
JURISPRUDENCE
77 th Texas Legislature
Provides that an owner or holder’s rights regarding the property remain in effect during the pendency of
forfeiture proceedings.
Sets out the actions a regulated financial institution may take to comply with a seizure of accounts and
assets, including segregating the accounts at issue.
Authorizes the state to disclose information to state or federal financial institution regulators relating to a
forfeiture action and requires the state to notify the state banking commissioner before taking any forfeiture
action. Makes it a criminal offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, a jail term not to exceed 30
days, or both if a regulator knowingly discloses confidential information provided by the state.
Arrest and Adjudication of Misdemeanor Traffic Offenses - S.B. 730
by Senator Harris
House Sponsors: Representatives Thompson and Talton
Sets forth provisions related to circumstances under which a peace officer is required or allowed to issue a
ticket for traffic offenses under the Transportation Code and the code of Criminal Procedure.
Clarifies provisions related to suspension of sentences and deferral of final proceedings in misdemeanor
cases.
Clarifies provision related to driving safety course and motorcycle operator course dismissal.
Proving Computer Crime - S.B. 917
by Senator Shapiro
House Sponsor: Representative Hochberg
Under current law, there are no provisions in regard to computer crime that permit aggregation of benefits
obtained by the perpetrator when a victim is defrauded or harmed or a computer, program, or network is
altered, damaged, or deleted. As a consequence, a person may have committed multiple violations as part
of one scheme or one continuing course of conduct but may only be charged and found guilty of one
separate offense for each discrete violation.
Permits the aggregation of damages or losses incurred in a breach of computer security when those
multiple violations are part of one scheme or one continuing course of conduct.
Provides that in trials involving an allegation of a continuing scheme of fraud or theft alleged to have been
committed against a large class of victims in an aggregate amount or value, it need not be proven by direct
evidence that each alleged victim did not consent or effectively consent to the transaction. Provides that
either direct or circumstantial evidence is sufficient to prove the lack of consent or effective consent.
Senate Research Center 192