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Senate committee hears SJR 1 to deny bail for certain noncitizens accused of felonies
Summary
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice debated a proposed constitutional amendment (SJR 1) that would bar bail for people defined in the resolution as “illegal aliens” accused of felony offenses, with supporters citing recent violent crimes and opponents warning of constitutional and due-process problems.
Senate committee members heard extended testimony on Senate Joint Resolution 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require judges to deny bail for people the resolution defines as "illegal aliens" when accused of certain felony offenses.
Supporters said the measure is aimed at preventing violent offenders who lack ties to the United States from fleeing before trial. Senator Joan Huffman, the bill sponsor, described the resolution as intended to mirror federal authority and said it is named in a committee substitute as Jocelyn’s Law after a Harris County victim. "SJR 1 shows the state's commitment to protect our citizens and assist the federal government in their efforts to prevent violent illegal aliens from terrorizing our communities," Huffman said during…
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