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Senate approves constitutional amendment to deny bail for certain repeat violent offenders
Summary
The Senate passed SJR 87 to amend the Texas Constitution so judges must deny bail for specified violent felonies if the defendant has a prior conviction for certain felonies or was on bail at the time of the alleged new offense. Backers said the measure closes a gap for repeat violent offenders; opponents urged discretion and a higher evidentiary
The Texas Senate voted to place Senate Joint Resolution 87 before voters, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require denial of bail for persons accused of certain violent felony offenses when the person previously was convicted of similar felonies or was on bail at the time of the new alleged offense.
Senator Huffman, the Senate's floor sponsor, described the measure as a response to data from the Office of Court Administration showing high numbers of violent-offense defendants receiving low bail amounts. On the floor she said the amendment targets a narrow set…
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