Indigent defendants; right to ex parte hearing for appointment of experts in capital cases. (SB369)

Introduced By

Sen. John Watkins (R-Midlothian)

Progress

Introduced
Passed Committee
Passed House
Passed Senate
Signed by Governor
Became Law

Description

Indigent defendants; right to ex parte hearing for appointment of experts in capital cases. Provides that an indigent defendant who has been charged with a capital offense may move for the appointment of experts to assist in the preparation of his defense. The court shall hold an ex parte hearing on such a motion and may order the appointment of an expert. The expert's work product is protected by attorney-client privilege; however, the defendant shall comply with the discovery rules set forth in the Rules of the Supreme Court. This bill incorporates SB 111. Read the Bill »

Outcome

Bill Has Failed

History

DateAction
01/08/2008Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/09/08 084498348
01/08/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
01/10/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
01/16/2008Reported from Courts of Justice with substitute (12-Y 3-N) (see vote tally)
01/17/2008Committee substitute printed 080824348-S1
01/18/2008Constitutional reading dispensed (38-Y 0-N) (see vote tally)
01/21/2008Read second time
01/21/2008Reading of substitute waived
01/21/2008Committee substitute agreed to 080824348-S1
01/21/2008Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute SB369S1
01/22/2008Read third time and passed Senate (34-Y 4-N) (see vote tally)
01/22/2008Communicated to House
01/24/2008Impact statement from DPB (SB369S1)
02/11/2008Placed on Calendar
02/11/2008Read first time
02/11/2008Referred to Committee for Courts of Justice
02/14/2008Assigned Courts sub: Criminal
02/29/2008Continued to 2009 in Courts of Justice
12/01/2008Failed to report (defeated) in Courts of Justice (6-Y 6-N) (see vote tally)