Community leaders react to Harris County Bail Bond Board setting 10% minimum for violent felonies

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Harris County Bail Bond Board at a gathering Wednesday authorised a ten% minimal requirement for 17 felony offenses after outright rejecting the proposal final month.

Faces of heartache: Bail bond board approves 10% minimal underneath stress from victims’ households

The board’s resolution comes after going through stress from the households of victims of violent crimes.

Till now, even when judges set excessive bonds, bail bonds corporations might decrease all of them the way in which all the way down to 2%, permitting even capital homicide suspects with previous convictions for violent crimes to stroll free.

Varied group leaders responded to the board’s resolution.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner issued the next assertion:

“This afternoon, I’m happy the Harris County Bail Bond Board authorised a proposal to require bonding corporations to gather a minimal of 10 p.c of bail set by judges for suspects earlier than they’re launched on bond. The Metropolis of Houston’s consultant on the board requested for this merchandise to be positioned again on the agenda after it didn’t obtain sufficient votes final month.

“On February 2nd, I introduced the One Protected Houston plan – a complete initiative that holistically addresses crime prevention. A part of that plan known as for bond reform, particularly to make the ten% down cost a requirement on bail bond premiums.

“In March, I wrote a letter to the Harris County Bail Bond Board urging members to undertake this coverage.

“I am very gratified to see the Harris County Bail Bond Board undertake this coverage right this moment. When judges set excessive bonds for violent offenses, bail bond corporations shouldn’t waive or scale back premiums, thus jeopardizing public security.

“I am grateful to the advocates, sufferer households particularly, who pushed for this reform, together with many elected officers.

“Earlier right this moment, the Houston metropolis council thought-about the same ordinance, and the vote was delayed till subsequent week, pending the Board’s vote. With right this moment’s vote by the Harris County Bail Bond Board, it will likely be pointless for the Metropolis to maneuver ahead.”

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Harris County Choose Lina Hidalgo, a member of the board, took to Twitter to share her ideas on the choice:

“I’m heartened a majority of Bail Bond Board members joined me in voting for a ten% bond requirement to finish ‘low-cost bail’ for severe crimes. It’s one step of many we’re taking to deal with the gun violence epidemic. Grateful to so many households of victims who pushed for this.”

Texas House District 134 Rep. Ann Johnson Tweeted concerning the resolution after talking earlier than the board earlier on Wednesday:

“Immediately I spoke in entrance of the Harris County Bail Bond Board asking them to require bail bondsmen to cost a charge of a minimum of 10%, making it tougher for bonding corporations to supply the sorts of low-cost offers which have allowed violent, repeat offenders again out on the streets.”

Texas State Senator John Whitmire Tweeted a press release calling the choice a great first step:

“Immediately was a great day showing earlier than the bail bond board with the victims’ households. The adoption of requiring 10% minimal bail was a great first step.”