Update on Bail Texas Supreme Court Reforms September 5, 2019 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Update on Bail Reforms

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht Texas Supreme Court September 5, 2019

Rise in Jail Population

• In the past 25 years, the

pretrial population in Texas jails has risen from just over 32 percent of the population to almost 75 percent of the population.

0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% 80.00% 5000 10000 15000 20000 25000 30000 35000 40000 45000 6/1/1994 6/1/1995 6/1/1996 6/1/1997 6/1/1998 6/1/1999 6/1/2000 6/1/2001 6/1/2002 6/1/2003 6/1/2004 6/1/2005 6/1/2006 6/1/2007 6/1/2008 6/1/2009 6/1/2010 6/1/2011 6/1/2012 6/1/2013 6/1/2014 6/1/2015 6/1/2016

Pretrial Population in Texas Jails by Year

PT Felons PT Misd PT SJF % Pretrial

Texas Judicial Council Bail Recommendations

1) Require defendants arrested for jailable misdemeanors and felonies to be assessed using a validated pretrial risk assessment prior to an appearance before a magistrate. 2) Amend the Texas Constitution and statutes to allow for preventive detention.

• Defendants that pose a high flight risk or high risk

to community safety may be held in jail without bond pending trial after certain findings are made by a magistrate and a detention hearing is held. 3) Require additional training and certification on magistration and bail setting responsibilities for all judges involved in setting bail.

Pretrial Risk Assessment Information System (PRAISTX)

Update on Pending Litigation

• Harris County
• Dallas County
• Galveston County