Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.105 – Affirmative Findings
(a) If a judge places on deferred adjudication community supervision a defendant charged with a sexually violent offense, as defined by Article 62.001, the judge shall make an affirmative finding of fact and file a statement of that affirmative finding with the papers in the case if the judge determines that the victim or intended victim was younger than 14 years of age at the time of the offense.
(b) If a judge places on deferred adjudication community supervision a defendant charged with an offense under § 20.02, 20.03, or 20.04, Penal Code, or an attempt, conspiracy, or solicitation to commit one of those offenses, the judge shall make an affirmative finding of fact and file a statement of that affirmative finding with the papers in the case if the judge determines that the victim or intended victim was younger than 17 years of age at the time of the offense.
Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.105
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
- Justice: when applied to a magistrate, means justice of the peace. See Texas Government Code 312.011
- Plea: In a criminal case, the defendant's statement pleading "guilty" or "not guilty" in answer to the charges, a declaration made in open court.
- Trial: A hearing that takes place when the defendant pleads "not guilty" and witnesses are required to come to court to give evidence.
- Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(c) If a judge places on deferred adjudication community supervision a defendant charged with an offense under § 21.11 or 22.011, Penal Code, the judge shall make an affirmative finding of fact and file a statement of that affirmative finding with the papers in the case if the judge determines that:
(1) at the time of the offense, the defendant was not more than four years older than the victim or intended victim and the victim or intended victim was at least 15 years of age; and
(2) the charge to which the plea is entered under this subchapter is based solely on the ages of the defendant and the victim or intended victim at the time of the offense.
(d) If a judge places a defendant on deferred adjudication community supervision, on the motion of the attorney representing the state the judge shall make an affirmative finding of fact and file a statement of that affirmative finding with the papers in the case if the judge determines that, regardless of whether the conduct at issue is the subject of the prosecution or part of the same criminal episode as the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution, a victim in the trial:
(1) is or has been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons, as defined by 22 U.S.C. § 7102(9); or
(2) has suffered substantial physical or mental abuse as a result of having been a victim of criminal activity described by 8 U.S.C. § 1101(a)(15)(U)(iii).
(e) The part of the papers in the case containing an affirmative finding under Subsection (d):
(1) must include specific information identifying the victim, as available;
(2) may not include information identifying the victim’s location; and
(3) is confidential, unless written consent for the release of the affirmative finding is obtained from the victim or, if the victim is younger than 18 years of age, the victim’s parent or guardian.
(f) If a judge places on deferred adjudication community supervision a defendant charged with a misdemeanor other than a misdemeanor under Chapter 20, 21, 22, 25, 42, 43, 46, or 71, Penal Code, the judge shall make an affirmative finding of fact and file a statement of that affirmative finding with the papers in the case if the judge determines that it is not in the best interest of justice that the defendant receive an automatic order of nondisclosure under § 411.072, Government Code.