Gov. Greg Abbott urges constitutional amendment to tighten bail for violent offenders

AUSTIN — Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday urged lawmakers to pass a constitutional amendment that would let judges deny bail for certain violent crimes and give prosecutors the right to appeal questionable bond decisions, saying the current system "literally is killing our fellow Texans." Abbott framed the measure as a public‑safety, not partisan, issue and said survivors’ stories drove the push.

Abbott said Texas law currently ties bail to the state constitution, so fixing the system requires an amendment that must win two‑thirds support in both legislative chambers and then be approved by voters. He described three core changes sponsors want: permit judges to deny bail in violent cases unless there is "clear and convincing evidence" a defendant will appear and not endanger the community; require judges who release violent defendants to explain their decisions in writing; and give prosecutors the ability to appeal bond rulings to an appellate court.

"We have to amend the constitution," Abbott said, arguing those changes would shift the burden onto repeat violent offenders to show they do not pose a danger. He singled out cases in Travis County, saying three of six defendants charged in the murder of Xavier Jones Sr. were on active bonds, and said some bonds were as low as $1,000.

Senator Joan Huffman, a lead sponsor, said lawmakers have negotiated across the aisle for years but warned, "we are done negotiating," and urged Texas House Democrats to back the measures. Representative Smithy, the bill sponsor in the House, called the package "the victims' bill," saying the legislation "belongs to the victims and the families of these people" and that sponsors will either reach a deal or press forward.

Survivor Sofia Struthers Lewis recounted being raped, tortured and kidnapped and said the man convicted of those crimes later obtained bond, did not appear for sentencing and remained at large for more than 70 weeks. She described subsequent identity theft and financial losses after the defendant was released from custody and said a judge set a $75,000 bond; she said, "I was only worth $750," to convey how the bond amount felt to her as a survivor.

Michael Bullock of the Austin Police Association said lenient bond decisions and, in some cases, prosecutors’ and judges’ approaches have led to repeated reoffending and made witnesses reluctant to cooperate. "Common sense bail reform is desperately needed to keep violent offenders away from our communities," Bullock said, citing local examples including a homicide where the arrestee had been out on bond.

Chuck DeVore of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which hosted the event, said a poll conducted on behalf of TPPF and Right on Crime found 81% of voters — including "over 70% of Democrats," according to the cited survey — support a constitutional amendment on bail. DeVore urged lawmakers to "let Texans vote on this critical amendment in November."

Abbott said he made bail reform an emergency item this legislative session and that he expects a vote in the Texas House in the coming weeks on an amended proposal that includes the elements he described. "Every member of the Texas House has one question to answer: Are they going to vote to protect the citizens they represent or the criminals who kill them?" he said.

The speakers requested lawmakers prioritize the amendment; no formal bill vote was recorded at the event. The sponsors said they will continue negotiations and plan committee action and a floor vote in the near term.