Houston Matters
COVID and youth mental health (Dec. 13, 2022)
Posted on · On Tuesday's show: Researchers at UTMB are expanding a unique study about the mental health effects of COVID-19 on a generation of youth.
Tag: bail reform
Criminal Justice
Lawyers continue to push for equitable bail for felony defendants in Harris County
Posted on · A 2019 lawsuit alleges Harris County's "wealth-based felony pretrial detention system" fails to provide "clear and convincing evidence" to justify the pretrial detention of low-income defendants.
Harris County
How rhetoric about bail reform is shaping the upcoming election in Harris County
Posted on · Republicans, along with Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg, claim that lenient bail practices by judges have contributed to a spike in crime in the Houston area. Observers say their messaging has impacted the behavior of the judiciary and could impact election outcomes as well.
Houston Matters
Walkout at Commissioners Court, and whether bail reform measures are working (Sept. 14, 2022)
Posted on · On Wednesday's show: We learn why two GOP members of Harris County Commissioners Court boycotted a vote on the county budget. Then, we discuss the latest developments in politics. And new research examines whether Harris County's bail reform measures are working.
Houston Matters
Bail bond reform measure fails, and electric vehicles in Houston (March 11, 2022)
Posted on · On Thursday's show: We learn why a measure that would have set a minimum down payment recquired in order to bond out of jail on certain offenses failed to pass, we discuss where the infrastructre stands for electric vehicles in Houston, and we learn about a new exhibit on the life of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Houston Matters
Bail reform update, accessibility at the rodeo, and how the world depends on Russia (March 4, 2022)
Posted on · On Friday's show: An update on bail reform, accessibility for the disabled at the rodeo, and how the world depends on Vladimir Putin economically.
Criminal Justice
Harris County’s misdemeanor bail reforms are working, a new report finds
Posted on · Despite concerns about violent crime, low-level offenses – including repeat offenses – are down compared to six years ago.
Criminal Justice
The bail bond industry hopes a recent court ruling kills Harris County’s reforms. Supporters don’t see that happening
Posted on · The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that district court judges have sovereign immunity from the sort of suits that led to the consent decree that ended the O’Donnell v. Harris County lawsuit.
Criminal Justice
An Amendment To Let Texas Judges Deny Bail Advanced In The Senate, But Faces A Steeper Road In The House
Posted on · Senate Joint Resolution 1 calls for an amendment to allow judges to deny bail to people charged with certain violent, sexual, or trafficking crimes.
Criminal Justice
Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill Requiring Cash Bail For Some Offenses Into Law
Posted on · The Damon Allen Act bars a person from being released on a no-cash bond if charged with certain crimes.
Politics
GOP-Backed Bail Bill Making It Harder To Bond Out Of Jail Pretrial Passes In The Texas House
Posted on · Supporters argue Senate Bill 6 is necessary to stem a rise in violent crime, while opponents argue it violates constitutional presumption of innocence.
Criminal Justice
Family Of Houston Woman Allegedly Stabbed To Death By Husband Sues Harris County Over Bail Policies
Posted on · Melanie Infinger blames misdemeanor bail reform for her daughter's murder, because the alleged killer was out on a cashless bond at the time of the woman's death.
Criminal Justice
Texas GOP Bill Could Make It Harder For Nonprofits To Bail People Out Of Jail
Posted on · A new law could keep people in custody much longer -- people like Hervis Rogers, the Houston man recently arrested for alleged illegal voting and held on $100,000 bond.
Politics
Texas House, Senate Committees Advance Bill Making It Harder To Bond Out Of Jail Pretrial
Posted on · House Bill 2 and Senate Bill 6 would bar a defendant from being released on a personal recognizance bond if charged with committing a violent or sexual crime, or if charged with committing a crime while already out on bond.
Houston Matters
FBI Investigating Constable’s Office (July 12, 2021)
Posted on · On Monday's show: An FBI investigation of the Harris County Precinct 1 Constable’s Office, your Houston pet peeves, and an update on local sports.