A new report from District Attorney Kim Ogg says that bail reform has led to declining community safety and disintegration of the purpose of bail reform.
During a Friday press conference, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced that two suspects arrested had gang ties and were out on felony bond at the time of the murder of an off-duty police detective.
José Garza entered office planning to drastically change the way the Travis County District Attorney's Office pursues bail and sentencing decisions.
Arrested and charged with murder last month, a known gang member with six prior felony convictions had been released on bond for other felony charges three times.
Incumbent Harris County D.A. Kim Ogg is facing challengers from all sides amid rising concerns over crime. Audia Jones, a challenger to Ogg, is pushing to eliminate cash bail for many felons.
A warrant is now out for the arrest of Emilio Duarte-Lone, a DWI suspect with deportation orders to Honduras who has not shown up for his court hearing.
Incumbent District Attorney Kim Ogg is facing challengers from her right and left in what will be a key and consequential race for Texas' most populous county.
The consent decree would result in most pre-trial misdemeanor arrestees to be released as soon as practicable after arrest. One arrestee released under this bail reform approach allegedly murdered his wife and unborn child.
The new bail bond settlement requires $6.2 million in financial assistance to some misdemeanor arrestees to mitigate lack of transportation, childcare, phone, and permanent housing.
