<figcaption> Harris County's bail reforms were put into place after federal courts rejected its largely cash-based system as unconstitutional. <cite>Credit: Evan L'Roy/The Texas Tribune</cite>
</figcaption>
Funding needed to address huge increase in defendants under pre-trial supervision
Robert Arnold, Investigative Reporter
Updated:
Tags:
HOUSTON – The number of people released on bond prior to trial and under the county’s supervision has grown at a quick pace since 2017. So much so, the number of defendants now under supervision is overwhelming county resources.
“At the end of the day, this is a public safety issue,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner R. Jack Cagle. “How do we make sure that the public is safe?”
The county’s Pre-Trial Services department provides information to felony and misdemeanor courts to help judges make decisions on a defendant’s release prior to trial. This department then monitors those defendants to make sure they’re following court orders such as GPS tracking or drug and alcohol monitoring. Felony court Judge Chris Morton calls these non-monetary conditions of release.
No meaningful relief : Harris County trials plunge from 1,600 a year to 52 since COVID
FacebookTwitterEmail
1of9
Harris County Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier wears a face shield and sits behind a plexiglass wall as the jurors sit in the gallery during a jury trial in the 113th court Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
2of9
Attorney Claire Parsons wears a mask as she directs her defendant to a chair in Harris County Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier s courtroom Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
3of9
4of9
Attorney Randy Sorrels (left) wears a mask and Attorney Kent Adams wears a face shield in Harris County Judge Rabeea Sultan Collier s courtroom Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, in Houston.Steve Gonzales, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less