Misdemeanor court judges get earful from Harris County DA, State Senator regarding crime problem

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – “Your Honors, if we take heed to you all, we are able to all go dwelling since you’re saying there’s not something that may be finished and I will beg to vary with you as a result of I really feel the urgency of the matter,” stated State Senator John Whitmire whereas addressing misdemeanor court docket judges throughout an informational city corridor assembly on crime.

Whitmire, who’s operating for mayor, and Harris County District Legal professional Kim Ogg, did not maintain again when discussing how misdemeanor court docket judges play a component in our ever-growing crime drawback.

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“I believe the legal inhabitants is emboldened by the repeated launch and the publicity about it,” Ogg stated. “I believe the size of time ready for trial contributes to that.”

Being out on bond was by no means supposed to final for years. However that is what’s taking place now due to the massive backlog of circumstances in legal courts.

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“They know if they don’t plead out, however maintain up in a yr from now, they imagine, the defendants and their attorneys, that they’ll get a greater supply,” Whitmire stated.

Ogg has repeatedly stated releasing defendants from jail by granting a number of bonds fuels the rise in crime.

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“We want our violent repeat offenders stored in jail and generally these are DWI and home violence,” she stated.

MORE: In-depth look at alarming number of people out on bond in Harris Co. for multiple DWI charges

Whitmire identified it is no secret bonding corporations now not require 10% of the bond. Some are providing defendants simply 2% and even giving them fee plans.

“They’re going out and so they’re committing break-ins and stealing and robbing to pay their bond,” Whitmire stated. “If you understand that, we have to converse out on that.”

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Whitmire says lawmakers want to have a look at the bail bonding trade through the subsequent legislative session.

One other city corridor assembly, like this one, shall be held on April 21. That assembly shall be for felony court docket judges and bail bondsmen.