Bill > HB2333

This bill amends the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure to modify statutes of limitations for various criminal offenses, with a specific focus on election-related felonies. The most significant change is the addition of a new provision that allows prosecution of felony offenses related to elections in Texas within five years of the offense's commission. The bill maintains existing no-limitation periods for serious crimes like murder, sexual assault, and child abuse, while also adjusting time limits for other felonies such as theft, forgery, and assault. The bill includes detailed provisions for calculating limitation periods, taking into account factors like the victim's age, the date of offense discovery, and specific circumstances of the crime. Importantly, the changes will not retroactively apply to offenses whose prosecution would have already been barred by the previous statute of limitations. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving state legal systems time to prepare for the new guidelines. The primary aim appears to be ensuring that serious criminal offenses, particularly those involving elections, can be prosecuted within a reasonable timeframe while protecting the rights of defendants and victims.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB2333