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Gov. Greg Abbott urges constitutional bail changes after Harris County victim testimony
Summary
At a Houston event with Crime Stoppers and victim families, Governor Greg Abbott called for a constitutional amendment to tighten bail for violent offenses, outlined three specific reforms and said lawmakers have about a month to secure the supermajority needed to place the measure on the November ballot.
Governor Greg Abbott urged lawmakers to approve a constitutional amendment tightening bail rules after family members described violent crimes by defendants they said had been released on personal-recognizance bonds.
"The challenge we're dealing with today is not a law enforcement based challenge. This is a judicial problem," Abbott said, framing the proposal as a public-safety measure rather than a partisan issue. He told the crowd he had made bail reform an emergency item this legislative session.
The changes Abbott outlined would: require judges to automatically deny bail for certain violent offenses unless there is clear and convincing evidence the defendant will appear and not endanger the community; require judges who release violent defendants to provide…
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