Sec. 125.044. FINDINGS. (a) After the meeting, the person appointed to conduct the meeting shall report the findings to the district attorney, city attorney, or county attorney who appointed the person. The district attorney, city attorney, or county attorney, on finding by the attorney that a common nuisance exists or is likely to be created, may initiate appropriate available proceedings against the persons owning or operating the place at which the common nuisance exists or is likely to be created.

(b) In a proceeding begun under Subsection (a):

(1) proof that acts creating a common nuisance are frequently committed at the place is prima facie evidence that the owner and the operator knowingly tolerated the acts;

(2) evidence that persons have been arrested for or convicted of offenses involving acts at the place that create a common nuisance is admissible to show knowledge on the part of the owner and the operator with respect to the acts that occurred; and

(3) notwithstanding Subdivision (1), evidence that the defendant, the defendant's authorized representative, or another person acting at the direction of the defendant or the defendant's authorized representative requested law enforcement or emergency assistance with respect to an activity at the place where the common nuisance is allegedly maintained is not admissible for the purpose of showing the defendant tolerated the activity or failed to make reasonable attempts to abate the activity alleged to constitute the nuisance but may be admitted for other purposes, such as showing that a crime listed in Section 125.0015 occurred. Evidence that the defendant refused to cooperate with law enforcement or emergency services with respect to the activity is admissible.

(b-1) The posting of a sign prohibiting the activity alleged is not conclusive evidence that the owner did not tolerate the activity.

(c) The originals or certified copies of the papers and judgments of the arrests or convictions described by Subdivision (2) of Subsection (b) are admissible in a suit for an injunction, and oral evidence is admissible to show that the offense for which a person was arrested or convicted was committed at the place involved.

Added by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 959, Sec. 7, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1202, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1246 (H.B. 1690), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.