Starting in September, Texas will have one set of procedures for politicians and bureaucrats and another set for everybody else.
A new law will radically change the way state public corruption cases are handled in the criminal justice system, reportsThe Texas Tribune. The law, known as House Bill 1690, affects the way public figures are investigated and prosecuted for crimes like bribery and coercion.
Here are some of the elements of the new law:
- The law creates a new class of defendant, known as “state officers” and “state employees.” This defendant class includes employees of state agencies, the statewide courts and courts of appeals, legislative officers, gubernatorial appointees and, state elected officials.
- Investigations will be handled by a newly established public integrity unit under the Texas Rangers, a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety.
- The Legislature provided $500,000 over the next two years to pay for the Rangers units’ travel and investigation expenses.
