HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 125 �tz1�3
RESOLUnON FII,£ NO.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Legislature of the State of Texas is currently considering an act
designated as S. B. 97; and
WHEREAS, such legislation would require the mandatory use of a uniform traffic
offense citation form in charging all traffic offenses; and
WHEREAS, the mandatory use of a uniform citation form would increase the grounds
for error in charging such offenses; and
WHEREAS, such legislation would require some form of bail to be posted for all
traffic offenses except pedestrian and non-moving traffic violations; and
WHEREAS, requiring such bail would result in more persons being placed in jail
for minor traffic offenses; and
WHEREAS, such legislation would require the police officer in the field to take
and account for such bail in the majority of cases; and
WHEREAS, requiring an officer in the field to take bail would lead to errors in
such taking, lead to charges of misconduct and place additional burdens on said
officers in the performance of their duties; and
WHEREAS, such legislation provides for the creation of "violations clerks" to
assist municipal ,judges by accepting written pleas of guilty and payment of
fines; and
..+ WHEREAS, authority is needed for such clerks to perform such duties; and
WHEREAS, the payment of fines without appearance before a magistrate is for the
convenience of the citizens; and
WHEREAS, the creation of such clerks would reduce the workload on the municipal
Judges; and
WHEREAS, such legislation provides that municipal judges may consider a defen-
dant's prior driving record in setting punishment in traffic cases; and
WHEREAS, allowing municipal judges to consider such record would enable such
judges to properly discriminate between habitual offenders and occasional
violators for the protection of the public:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Fort Worth
expresses its firm opposition to S. B. 97, now being considered by the Legisla-
ture of the State of Texas, save and except the provisions thereof creating
violations clerks and allowing municipal judges to consider a defendant's prior
driving record in setting punishment; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Legislature of the State of Texas be requested
to oppose S. B. 97, and be encouraged to support legislation creating "violations
clerks" and allowing municipal judges to consider a defendant's prior driving
record in setting punishment.
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