(a) For the purposes of this article, the jurisdiction of the courts in this state in which a sentence requiring confinement in a jail is imposed for conviction of a misdemeanor continues for 180 days from the date the execution of the sentence actually begins.
(b) The judge of a court that imposed a sentence requiring confinement in a jail for conviction of a misdemeanor may, on the judge’s own motion, on the motion of the attorney representing the state, or on the written motion of the defendant, suspend further execution of the sentence and place the defendant on community supervision under the terms and conditions of this chapter if, in the opinion of the judge, the defendant would not benefit from further confinement.

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Terms Used In Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 42A.201

  • Conviction: A judgement of guilt against a criminal defendant.
  • Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Written: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures. See Texas Government Code 311.005

(c) When the defendant files a written motion with the court requesting suspension of further execution of the sentence and placement on community supervision or when requested to do so by the judge, the clerk of the court shall request a copy of the defendant’s record while confined from the agency operating the jail in which the defendant is confined. On receipt of the request, the agency shall forward a copy of the record to the court as soon as possible.
(d) The judge may deny the motion without holding a hearing but may not grant a motion without holding a hearing and allowing the attorney representing the state and the defendant to present evidence in the case.