Harris County Bail Bond Board rejects proposal requiring bondsmen to collect 10% minimum bond

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Harris County Bail Bond Board voted against a proposal requiring native bondsmen to gather no less than 10 p.c of bond earlier than posting a surety bond.

5 votes have been required to move the decision however solely 4 board members voted “sure.” There have been two board members who voted “no” and two others who declined to vote to or for the proposal.

The proposal comes after a number of current high-profile murders of youngsters, like Diamond Alvarez, the 16-year-old who was killed by her boyfriend. Alvarez’s accused killer is out on bond. 

Alvarez’s family and friends sat entrance row throughout this government session, all carrying matching crimson T-shirts together with her identify on them because the 17-year-old suspect in her case stays free on bond. 

Alvarez’s aunt, Blanca Mejia, stated her household has been threatened and harassed since her niece was killed on Jan. 11.

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Along with victims’ households, bail bondsmen additionally gave public feedback.

Whereas most native bond firms gather 8 to 10 p.c of a defendant’s bond, some gather simply 2 p.c and negotiate a fee plan for the remaining 8 p.c. That enables these suspects to get out of jail for a fraction of that 10 p.c down fee.

Bondsmen argue all that is political rhetoric with rising crime in an election yr. Victims’ households argue it’ll enhance public security.

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David Castro was shot in an obvious highway rage incident after an Astros recreation final yr. His father, Paul Castro, informed the board the suspect’s bondsman is thought for accepting bonds as little as 2 p.c. 

“My son’s life was traded for $7,000,” Paul stated. 

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Bail bondsman Shaun Burns had a special tackle the necessary 10 p.c proposal.

“We’re not in a position to negotiate with the poor, we are able to solely bond out these with cash,” Burns stated. “Second of all, I wish to say, I’ve but to listen to how this rule goes to make us any safer.”

Bail bondsman Ken Good argued Harris County doesn’t have the authority to make that change. 

“You might be performing because the Texas legislature,” Good stated, “If you wish to set what we should always cost that must be completed, if it may well, on the Texas legislature, not right here.”

Bondsmen argue whether or not they gather 1 p.c or 10 p.c, they forfeit the complete bond if the defendant doesn’t present. They level out they’re extraordinarily motivated to get the suspect to look for court docket dates.

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