Texas Scorecard by Sydnie Henry February 16, 2022
Deputies were shot by a suspect out on bond amid the county commissioners court’s rejection of most of their funding requests.Tuesday night in Northwest Harris County, two Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies were shot while responding to a 911 call. The suspect—who was killed when the deputies returned fire—was out on a PR bond for assault of a family member.
A Personal Recognizance (PR) bond does not require a deposit or collateral, and the defendant simply promises to appear in court on the appointed date. PR bonds have become the bond of choice in the Houston area, even in cases where the defendant displays violent behavior.
Last August, the mother of Caitlynne Guajardo filed a lawsuit against 26 judges and magistrates in Harris County for handing out PR bonds to violent offenders, including her son-in-law. Caitlynne and her unborn child were stabbed to death by her husband, Alex Guajardo, who had been arrested for assaulting his wife and torturing and killing their cat just days before Caitlynne’s death.
Amid these heartbreaking stories of children—like Arlene Alvarez—dying from stray shots, cops being gunned down, and much more arising from the increasing crime, the Harris County Commissioners Court just denied a majority of law enforcement funding requests.
Republican County Commissioners Tom Ramsey and Jack Cagle attempted to provide funding for more officers in their budget amendments at the recommendation of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, but their amendments were rejected by their fellow Democrat commissioners.
More:
https://texasscorecard.com/houston/harris-county-law-enforcement-denied-funding-and-struggling-under-progressive-court-system/
