SB 949 - This act creates the offense of judicial malfeasance. A person commits the offense if the person, while performing the duties of a judge, releases an individual who is a prior or persistent offender during the pendency of a criminal trial and such individual commits a felony during such release. The offense of judicial malfeasance shall be a class E felony. Any person charged or convicted with the offense of judicial malfeasance shall be referred to the Commission on Retirement, Removal, and Discipline for disqualification, removal, and suspension.TRISTAN BENSON, JR.
Statutes affected: Introduced (5657S.01):
575.340
Senate Committee Minutes: SENATE COMMITTEE MINUTES Bill No.: SB 949
Sponsor: Brattin
Hearing Date: 1/28/2026
COMMITTEE: Judiciary and Civil and Criminal Jurisprudence
CHAIRMAN: Schroer
DATE REFERRED: 1/8/2026 DATE HEARING REQUESTED: 1/15/2026
STAFF:
Tristan Benson
Eric Michael
Katie O'Brien
WITNESSES GIVING INFORMATION:
WITNESSES FOR:
Arnie Dienoff - State Public Advocate
WITNESSES AGAINST: