Issue Position: Safer Neighborhoods/Public Safety

Issue Position

Crime is an issue of concern for Representative Wu:

"My experience as a prosecutor has taught me that we need to smarter about crime. Our law enforcement budgets are stretched thin and our prisons are over-crowded; we have to decide on a new set of priorities. We need to focus on victims, and find ways to divert people who do harm to themselves."
Among the bills authored was HB 2842, establishing punishable offenses for offenders engaging in organized criminal activity. This bill passed in the Criminal Jurisprudence House Committee. As former Felony Prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Representative Wu understands the strain on our criminal justice system, as well as the limited time and resources law enforcement has.

Wu authored HB 2229 and co-sponsored similar Senate legislation SB 275, increasing the punishment for failure to stop and rendering aid at the scene of an accident. Often, driving drunk is a factor and people will leave an accident to avoid intoxication-related charges. This legislation will deter people from leaving the scene and likely prevent future deaths

Related Legislation

HB 2219 -- amending the penal code making attempted murder punishable by a second degree felony with a maximum term for 40 years
HB 2229 -- increases the penalty for failure to stop and render aid in an accident resulting in the death of a person.
HB 2405 -- relating to county reports regarding the implementation of cite and release provisions by local law enforcement agencies.
HB 2579 -- relating to the prosecution of certain offenses committed against a person in custody.
HB 2842 -- establishes punishable offenses for offenders engaging in organized criminal activity.
HB 2857 -- relating to the disposition of abandoned or unclaimed property seized at the time of certain arrests.

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