Texas Governor makes bail reform an emergency item this legislative session
HOUSTON - Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made bail reform an emergency item this legislative session.
What we know
For five years now, we've been telling you about murders and other violent crimes that wouldn't have happened if judges had set high bonds or revoked bond for defendants who pick up new criminal charges.
This is not the first time lawmakers have considered new laws aimed at judges and bonds.
If passed, Senate Bill 9 would prohibit personal recognizance bonds for defendants on parole. Defendants like Dominique Menifee.
In 2023, we told you a magistrate gave Menifee, who was on parole for aggravated robbery, a PR bond for felony drug possession.
Six days later, police say Menifee shot and killed 34-year-old Sherniqua Banks in front of her 3-year-old son.
"Whoever let him slip through the cracks, they need to be held accountable because my daughter is gone. I can never get her back, it hurts like hell," said Sherniqua's mother, Lisa Callaway, during an interview in November 2023.
What they're saying
"I'm making bail reform an emergency item this session," said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
"Senate Bill 9 would prohibit that if someone was on parole, they couldn't get a PR bond, bottom line," said Andy Kahan with Houston Crime stoppers. "If you're on parole for any offense, you shouldn't get a get out of jail free card, especially with a felony."
"We must deny bail to criminals charged with capital murder and other heinous violent crimes," Abbott said.
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Dig deeper
Another proposed law would take a lot of power away from unelected magistrates, who we've seen grant lower bonds than some elected judges.
"You can't give anyone bail if they're on parole, if they're habitual, if they have an ICE hold, if they're charged with a violent offense, such as murder, so the magistrates won't be able to give bond," Kahan said.
If some of these proposed laws become reality, that could bring the revolving door at the courthouse to a screeching halt.
"Activist judges have too much discretion to let repeat offenders out of jail on bail, only to see them harm more Texans," the governor said.
What's next
A public hearing is scheduled next Wednesday before the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.
The Source
FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace spoke with Andy Kahan from Houston Crime Stoppers about the announcement made by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
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