Bill > HB870

This bill modifies the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to expand corroboration requirements for testimony in criminal cases involving controlled substances. Specifically, the bill broadens the existing rule that requires additional evidence to support testimony from covert law enforcement operatives in drug-related cases. The key change removes previous language that limited this requirement to non-licensed officers or special investigators, instead applying the corroboration rule more broadly to any person acting covertly on behalf of a law enforcement agency or under the color of law enforcement. The bill maintains the existing standard that corroborating evidence must do more than simply prove the offense occurred - it must help connect the defendant to the specific criminal act. The changes will apply to any criminal case with a judgment entered on or after September 1, 2025, with cases decided before that date continuing to be governed by the previous legal standard. This modification aims to provide additional protection for defendants by ensuring that convictions are not based solely on the testimony of covert operatives in controlled substance cases.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB870