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

Chief Justice Nathan Hecht Update on Bail Texas Supreme Court Reforms September 5, 2019

Pretrial Population in Texas Jails by Year 45000 80.00% 40000 70.00% 35000 60.00% 30000 50.00% • In the past 25 years, the 25000 40.00% pretrial population in Texas 20000 jails has risen from just over 32 30.00% 15000 percent of the population to 20.00% almost 75 percent of the 10000 population. 10.00% 5000 0 0.00% 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 PT Felons PT Misd PT SJF % Pretrial Rise in Jail Population

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)

• Harris County • Dallas County • Galveston County Update on Pending Litigation