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Location
& Contact Information
Texas State University
San Marcos
601 University Drive
San Marcos Texas
78666-4610
866-220-4357
512-245-0571
FAX
512-245-2851
gl02@txstate.edu
Frequently Asked Questions
Hinterlong case-related questions
Operations-related questions
How can I get up-to-date information on the 79th Texas Legislature?
Visit the Texas Legislature website. You can track bills, search archives and current bill text, view house and senate calendars, and much more. Register for their Bill Alert service to receive e-mail notification regarding changes in a particular bill's status.
My organization is tax exempt. Do we have to collect sales tax??
The tax exemption is for purchases, not for the organization's sales. An exempt organization must get a sales tax permit and collect and remit sales tax on all items it sells. There is no fee for the permit, and applications are available from the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts website. There are some exceptions. A 501(c)(3) organization can hold two separate one-day tax-free sales or auctions each calendar year. During each one-day sale, the organization does not need to collect sales tax. There are additional provisions for meals and food products, annual banquets and suppers, publications, etc. For more information, visit the Texas Comptroller.
My Crime Stoppers program wants to hold a raffle. What do I need to do?
An organization is not required to register with the state before conducting a raffle. However, be aware of certain restrictions while planning a raffle. The Charitable Raffle Enabling Act only allows "qualified organizations" to hold up to two raffles per calendar year, under certain circumstances. Most Crime Stoppers organizations qualify as a "non profit organization that has existed for at least three preceding years". Additional restrictions include:
• Raffle tickets may not be advertised state wide or through paid advertisements.
• Each ticket must include the name and address of the organization, the prizes, and a description of each prize to be awarded with a value over $10.
• The prize cannot be money.
• Only members of the organization may sell tickets.
This is only a partial listing of raffle restrictions. Consult Chapter 2002 of the Occupations Code for a complete list. Remember to Keep It Legal ! An unauthorized raffle is considered gambling under the Texas Penal Code. Conducting an illegal raffle is a Class A misdemeanor and participating in one is a Class C misdemeanor.
For more information on the requirements, consult
Ch 2002, Charitable Raffles, Occupations Code, Texas Codes, Texas Codes Annotated,
Office of the Attorney General,
or an attorney.
What bank accounts should our Crime Stoppers program have?
All Crime Stoppers programs that receive court funds must have TWO separate bank accounts. The first account is the program's operating, or general, account. This account contains funds that the program raises itself in the community. When donors give money to the local program specifying the donation be used to pay rewards, then that money should be deposited in the operating, or general, account, with a notation made in the bookkeeping records that it is to be used for reward payments. Or, your program may choose to open a separate donated reward account in which to deposit these funds.
The second bank account is the "restricted account”. Each local program that accepts fees from the court system MUST open a restricted account to house these funds, as mandated by statute (Section 414.010[b], Texas Government Code). Most of the reporting on the Annual Probation Fee and Repayments Report deals with this bank account. These funds are subject to audit, and you must report these annually on the Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council Probation Fee and Repayment Report. Local Crime Stoppers programs must use these funds to pay rewards; however, each program can take 20 percent of the funds received each year and transfer the money to the operating, or general, account to cover administrative costs of the program.
If you have a campus program and/or funds with additional restrictions, you may need additional accounts. For example, you may have an operations account, restricted/probation fees account, donated reward account, campus account, and a reserve account. You may ask the advice of a banker or accountant to determine what best serves your program.
What insurance does our program need?
It is up to your board. However, we recommend board-paid liability insurance. Grants from the governor's office require a fidelity bond to cover fraud, embezzlement, and the like. Programs with office space and employees may need property and liability insurance. Many programs carry nonprofit directors and officers' coverage (D & O). Insurance is complex, so speak to a licensed agent about your particular needs. More information is available through the Texas Department of Insurance at www.tdi.state.tx.us.
What phone and answering service options does my Crime Stoppers program have?
Use a digital cellular telephone, if you take tips via cell service, to minimize eavesdropping. Answering machines are still acceptable. Keep the machine secure and use the type with battery back-up, so you do not lose your messages to a power failure. Several answering services are available to take your tips after hours, or 24 hours, depending upon your needs. Prior to signing a contract, make sure that the service has experience answering tips lines and that you are comfortable with their tip-taking procedures.
Is it an acceptable practice to transfer unclaimed rewards into our operating account under the assumption the informant donated the money as a gift?
No. It is not acceptable to consider this money a gift from the person because the program cannot produce documentation regarding the identity of the donor for the Internal Revenue Service nor documentation from the informant relinquishing their right to the money. Return the money to your reward account. Texas Government Code Section 414.010 specifically outlines the purpose of court generated fees and reward accounts. The statute does not contain a provision for "gifts"from anonymous informants.
If we are a certified program but do NOT receive any court fees to use for paying rewards or for restitution, must we still send in the Annual Probation Fee and Repayment Report?
Yes. Chapter 414.010(a), Texas Government Code, states that "not later than January 31 of each year, a Crime Stoppers organization that receives or expends repayments or payments shall file a detailed report with the Council." The Advisory Council, in its August 1, 2003, adoption of new rules for certification, placed the following rule in the Texas Administrative Code (Section 3.9010): "A Crime Stoppers organization that is certified by the Council shall submit to the director of the Council an Annual Probation Fee and Repayment Report postmarked no later than January 31 of each year." Programs that do NOT receive any court fees must fill out the report form that is mailed to them in late December of each year, putting the number 0.00 (zero) in the blanks. Then both the chairman and the treasurer must sign the report, date it, and mail it to the Director, Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council, Office of the Governor.
The Conditions of Continuing Certification form requires that we submit a letter from the relevant community supervision and corrections department (CSCD) stating the amount of probation fees disbursed to the organization during the two-year certification period. What should we do if we do NOT receive any CSCD funds? How can we fulfill this certification requirement?
This document is mandated by the Advisory Council as a condition of continuing certification [Section 3.9000(e)(5)(B), Texas Administrative Code]. If your program does NOT receive funds from the CSCD or court system, the Advisory Council recommends that you draft a letter to the director of the Council stating this fact. Include the letter with the documents submitted for continuing certification review. The letter should be on the local program's stationary, should consist of no more than one short paragraph, and should state that the program did not receive any funds from the CSCD or court system, either for probation fees or restitution, during the preceding two years. The letter should have a date on it and the names of the chairman and treasurer. The chairman and treasurer should both sign the letter.
Hinterlong case-related questions
The Texas Court of Appeals said that the Texas Crime Stoppers statute in Chapter 414 of the Texas Government Code was"unconstitutional as applied". What does this mean?It means that the statute, as used in the Hinterlong case is contrary to and violates the Constitution of the State of Texas. Though constitutional on its face, it was unconstitutional as applied because of its discriminatory effect, i.e. it was used to deny Hinterlong effective access to the civil courts because it did not provide a discovery process for him to attempt to obtain information and records.
Does the Texas statute need to be amended by the Texas Legislature?
While the statute can still be used by the courts, the trial courts will be included to follow the same in-camera process ordered by the appellate court in Hinterlong. This is similar to the process used by the criminal courts in Texas in the interim period between the time of the Thomas decision and the amending of the Crime Stoppers statute to provide for an in-camera process. A legislative bill was drafted which corrects the problem by creating an in-camera process applicable in both criminal and CIVIL cases. Additionally, an effort should be made to provide immunity to those who in good faith communicate or act upon reports of criminal activity to the Texas Crime Stoppers Advisory Council or a Crime Stoppers organization. Another bill was drafted during the session, for more information see What's Hot.
Did Hinterlong win his case?
Hinterlong won the right to examine the tip information through an in-camera process. A trial has not been conducted yet to determine whether there is any civil liability on the part of the school district and/or its employees, the unidentified tipster, or any other parties.
Was the Hinterlong case really a Crime Stoppers case?It is questionable, at best, that the tip was a Crime Stoppers tip. In any event, the trial court and appellate court treated the case as though it were a Crime Stoppers tip, and rendered their respective decisions interpreting and applying the Crime Stoppers statutes. Any and all attorneys and judges will likely cite and rely upon the Hinterlong decision in future Crime Stoppers cases, adult or student, when it is faced with the issue of discovery of Crime Stoppers records in civil cases.
What has been the initial reaction of plaintiffs' attorneys to the Hinterlong case?The plaintiffs' bar is elated at the fertile field that has now been plowed for civil litigation in cases where tips result in acquittals for criminal defendants. Attorneys are now filing open records requests with school districts, law enforcement agencies, et al, and preparing for other possible litigation.
Other than remedial legislation, is there anything else that can be done to protect Crime Stoppers programs being operated in the schools?Yes. It is also suggested that Crime Stoppers tips not be given in a face-to-face or in-person manner. The Crime Stoppers and informer's privilege is not absolute, and there are a few rare occasions when a court will order the disclosure of an informant's identity. Now that the Hinterlong decision also provides a procedure in civil cases, there is a greater possibility that if a tipster's identity is known, it may later be involuntarily disclosed. Our children should not be exposed to such risks, no matter how remote, when there are alternative methods of communicating the information.
Is everyone in agreement that Crime Stoppers school programs should cease taking tips in-person, face-to-face, or under circumstances where either the law enforcement officer or the school official knows the identity of the informant?Experienced Crime Stoppers practitioners, including the founder of Crime Stoppers, Greg MacAleese, concur in the opinion that Crime Stoppers programs in the schools should be operated like the adult Crime Stoppers program which can better protect Crime Stoppers informants by not accepting tips in person or having face-to-face encounters.
If Crime Stoppers programs are to continue in the schools, what methods of communicating information are available?There are several methods, which include, but are not limited to:
- Allowing informants to telephone their tips to a designated tipsline, which may or may not be the same tipsline as used by the adult Crime Stoppers program in the area (some tips may involve misdemeanors or violations of school rules rather than felonies and matters the adult program seeks)
- Establish a website where student informants can safely and anonymously communicate tips
- Provide a facsimile/telecopier to securely receive tips
- Provide a lock-box where written tips can be deposited
- Other
What other recommendations are there to improve a Crime Stoppers program being operated in the schools?For the answer to this question and others click HERE. (PDF)
Conference-related questions
How do we let Texas Crime Stoppers know we are interested in hosting a conference?
If you are interested in hosting a conference in your city, contact Texas Crime Stoppers at Texas State University here.
At the last adult conference, not everyone was allowed access to coffee breaks, why?
This is a recent development necessitated by grant rules. Crime Stoppers' conference training is paid for by a grant from the Governor's Office, Criminal Justice Division, and is free to Texas Crime Stoppers. However, conference fees pay for food and drink. If a conference participant does not pay the fee, he/she is not entitled to meals or breaks, which requires restricting access to these events.
Why do people have to get stickers when attending training at the conferences?
Our training offers Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) hours, as well as Continuing Professional Education (CPE) hours for teachers from the State Board for Educator Certification. To ensure compliance with the standards promulgated by these organizations, we document individual attendance at all credited functions.
Why can't our state conferences be held in a facility that offers both lodging and meeting space? Then we don't have to travel from our hotel to the conference.Conferences have become so large that it is impossible to find a single facility in some locations with adequate meeting space and lodging. Only five Texas cities have single facilities with accommodations for 500 to 600 participants. Since we can not expect the Crime Stoppers programs in these five cities to host all our conferences, we must select smaller venues which necessitates using multiple hotels.
Why no free conference tee shirts at the campus conferences?The rising cost for conducting conferences leaves little room for extras.
Texas Crime Stoppers questions
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How did Texas
Crime Stoppers begin?
On June 10, 1981, House Bill 1681 created a state program to assist local Crime Stoppers programs and was effective September 1, 1981. The legislation created the Governor's Crime Stoppers Advisory Council within the Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office.
Advisory Board Members: Tina Alexander Sellers - Lufkin, Texas. Dorothy Spinks - Marble Falls, Texas. Brian Thomas - Amarillo, Texas. Melvin Joyner - Wichita Falls, Texas. Nelda Garcia - Alice, Texas.
What is Texas Crime Stoppers?
The Governor's Crime Stoppers program certifies local non-profit programs, making them eligible to receive state funds and probation fees paid by probationers. The Governor's Crime Stoppers program also funds grant programs under the Crime Stoppers Assistance Fund. The local Crime Stoppers programs pay rewards for tip information leading to the arrest and/or indictment of criminals. This reward program was established for the purpose of obtaining information, which might not otherwise be obtained, about criminal activity and fugitive felons throughout the State.
Does Texas Crime Stoppers work with other state agencies and programs?
The Governor's Crime Stoppers Program works in conjunction with the Texas Department of Public Safety's Special Crimes Service and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Parole Division in the Texas Ten Most Wanted Program. This program, created March 9, 1993, is designed to expedite the apprehension of some of the most violent repeat offenders in Texas. As a result of the assistance of the media and numerous private and public agencies, 120 of the 128 fugitives featured have been apprehended.
What other funds are available for local Crime Stoppers programs?
The Crime Stoppers Assistance Fund provides funds for local nonprofit Crime Stoppers projects in Texas to enhance and assist the community's efforts in solving serious crimes. It is a goal of the program to create a trilateral partnership of the public, law enforcement agencies, and the media that accelerates the identification and apprehension of those involved in crimes. Local Crime Stoppers programs may apply for innovative projects or for assistance in meeting the administrative and operational costs of the program. For more information visit http://www.governor.state.tx.us.
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