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SB 539

AN ACT relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or

Senate Bill Johnson
Filed

Filed

Bill introduced by legislator

Committee

Hearing

Passed Cmte

Calendar

Passed

Sent

Enrolled

Governor

Signed

89th Regular Session

Jan 14, 2025 - Jun 2, 2025 • Session ended

Awaiting Committee Assignment

Bill filed, pending referral to Senate committee

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Fiscal Note

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What This Bill Does

relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or

Subject Areas

Bill Text

relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or
videoconference in a justice or municipal court.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Article 45A.260, Code of Criminal Procedure, is
Art. 45A.260.  APPEARANCE BY TELEPHONE OR VIDEOCONFERENCE.
If the justice or judge determines that requiring a defendant to
appear before the justice or judge in person for a hearing [under
Article 45A.258 or 45A.259] would impose an undue hardship on the
defendant, the justice or judge may allow the defendant to appear by
SECTION 2.  Article 45A.260, Code of Criminal Procedure, as
amended by this Act, applies to a proceeding that commences before,
on, or after the effective date of this Act.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Bill History

filed

Bill filed: AN ACT relating to a defendant's appearance by telephone or