Bill > HB4075

This bill creates a new provision in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure that allows peace officers (current or former) who are charged with an offense committed during their official duties to request a change of venue. Under this new law, if a peace officer is charged with an offense allegedly committed "under color of" their employment, they can file a motion for a venue change. If the prosecuting attorney and defendant agree, they can move the case to another county within the same judicial district. If they do not agree, the presiding judge of the judicial district can order a venue change to either another county in the same judicial district, an adjoining judicial district, or any other county after providing 10 days' notice to both parties. The bill applies only to offenses committed on or after its effective date, which will be either immediately upon receiving a two-thirds vote in the Texas legislature or September 1, 2025, if it does not receive the immediate voting threshold. The purpose appears to be providing additional procedural flexibility for criminal cases involving peace officers.

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https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4075