Texas House passes bill that would ban pretrial release for some accused of violent crimes

The Texas House on Tuesday passed a bill that would in some cases ban the release of defendants accused of violent crimes prior to their trials.

The proposed bill was brought up by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) in 2018 after a state trooper was shot and killed in the line of duty on Thanksgiving day the year prior, the Dallas Morning News reported. 

The bill failed to pass in 2019, but it gained new support after Abbott made it an emergency item. 

If the bill becomes law, people who are accused of murder, human trafficking, aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child wouldn’t be eligible for release or bond before their trials. But the judge can allow a cash bond for those who can afford it, according to the Morning News. 

One of the bill’s authors, state Rep. Andrew Murr (R), told the Morning News that the bill will better protect victims, the public and law enforcement.

Texas Democrats and civil right groups argued that the bill could worsen the justice system that already treats minorities and poor defendants differently. 

“We somehow lose sight of the Constitution,” said state Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D) in the Morning News story. “No matter what you’re accused of, so long as you have a lot of money, you’ll be able to bail out.”

The House passed the bill on a 98-46 vote and now heads to the state Senate for further debate.