Houston Public MediaJun 4, 2025

Flanked by elected officials and crime victims in Houston on Tuesday, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law several legislative measures aimed at tightening the state's bail laws.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/criminal-justice/2025/06/03/523067/texas-gov-greg-abbott-signs-bail-bills-into-law-during-visit-to-houston/

#Court #CriminalJustice #HarrisCounty #Houston #Local #News #Politics #Texas #BailBills #BailLegislation #BailReform #GovernorGregAbbott #MagistrateJudges #TexasBailReform

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signs bail bills into law during visit to Houston

The governor signed three bills as well as Senate Joint Resolution 5, a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow judges to deny bail to people accused of murder, capital murder and certain types of aggravated assault. It will go before voters in November.

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaApr 21, 2025

Houston Mayor John Whitmire waded into the debate over bond as the issue has become a central point of contention in elections of judges to local criminal courts — as well as the subject of a potential amendment to the Texas Constitution.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/criminal-justice/2025/04/21/519355/mayor-whitmire-inflates-number-of-accused-murderers-on-houston-streets-as-lawmakers-consider-bond-reform/

#CityOfHouston #Court #Crime #CriminalJustice #Houston #HoustonMayor #Local #News #Politics #Texas #BailReform #CapitalMurder #HoustonCityCouncil #HoustonMayorJohnWhitmire #JudgeHilaryUnger #TexasBailReform

Mayor Whitmire inflates number of accused murderers on Houston streets as lawmakers consider bond reform

Whitmire waded into the debate over bond as the issue has become a central point of contention in elections of judges to local criminal courts — as well as the subject of a potential constitutional amendment that Texas voters could decide on in November. 

Houston Public Media
Houston Public MediaFeb 12, 2025

Two bills filed by a Houston-area Texas Senator would deny bail for anyone in Texas without legal status who has been charged with a felony.

https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/politics/immigration/2025/02/12/513730/two-texas-senate-bills-would-deny-people-without-legal-status-bail-if-charged-a-felony/

#Immigration #News #Politics #Texas #JocelynNungaray #TexasBailReform #TexasSenatorJoanHuffman

Two Texas Senate bills would deny people without legal status bail if charged a felony

Texas Senator Joan Huffman, who represents parts of the Houston region, said the bills will be known as "Jocelyn's law" and will have to be approved by Texas voters. Those opposed to the bill say these bills would lead to more people being detained before a trial and more potential for racial profiling.

Houston Public Media