A federal judge granted Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton a key win by allowing him to intervene in a lawsuit that led to the 2019 Harris County misdemeanor bail reform consent decree. (Jonathan Ernst/Reuters)
The O'Donnell Consent Decree stemmed from a 2016 class-action lawsuit arguing that Harris County’s prior bail practices were unconstitutional because they detained people charged with misdemeanors simply for being unable to afford cash bail.
A judge approved the decree in 2019, eliminating most cash bail for misdemeanor offenses and requiring release on unsecured bonds, while also creating an independent monitor to oversee compliance.
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The latest ruling allowing the attorney general to become involved in the lawsuit opens the door for his office to argue that the decree should be terminated. (Justin Lane/Reuters)
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"General Paxton seeks to vacate the decree and ensure that the rights of Harris County citizens are represented in court," the release said.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-allows-texas-ag-challenge-harris-county-bail-reforms-unleashing-criminals