Harris County DA Says Her Request For More Prosecutors Has Been Politicized
Criminal Justice reform groups have criticized Kim Ogg’s request to hire 102 new lawyers. They argue more people will be jailed, but the DA says her office needs more staff to handle a backlog of cases.
Ogg’s Push To Hire More Prosecutors Stirs Backlash From Criminal Justice Reform Groups
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg is seeking an extra $20 million to hire 102 prosecutors, in order to relieve a backlog that has built up since Harvey.
Community Advocacy Group Opposes Harris County District Attorney’s Budget Request for 102 Additional Prosecutors
TCJC joins with others to oppose Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s budget request to fund 102 new prosecutors. TCJC urges county officials to further examine the request for more funding.
Human lives were not of value
Bill Mills experienced firsthand the cruel conditions of Sugar Land’s notorious Imperial Prison Farm. Back in 1910, he became a part of the Texas prison system shortly after his 17th birthday when he was arrested for horse theft. And though he went on to serve multiple prison terms in Texas, Oklahoma and Georgia, it was his time at Imperial Prison Farm that remained etched in his memory.
January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month
A new state law set to take effect in March aims to combat the crime by making sexually oriented businesses post human-trafficking hotline information in their bathrooms.
[2019 Session] Eliminate False or Misleading Jury Instructions That Lead to Excessive and Disproportionate Sentences
Policy Background
When someone is convicted of a felony offense by a jury in Texas, the jury receives a statutorily required statement regarding the possibility of parole and how “good time” credits (credits for good behavior and attempts at rehabilitation) might be applied to reduce the person’s length of incarceration.1 These instructions contain false and misleading information for a significant proportion of people convicted of felonies.
[2019 Session] Address the Root Causes of Commercial Sexual Exploitation Rather Than Punishing Vulnerable Populations
Policy Background
Without the demand for purchased sex there would be no prostitution – and, in turn, no sex trafficking. To take steps to reduce prostitution and trafficking, we must deter the purchase of sexual services. Although some measures are currently in place to criminalize prostitution, there are glaring disparities in policing and criminal justice responses to buyers and sellers. Specifying that the offense of purchasing sex is a form of exploitation can be effective in reducing its demand.
[2019 Session] Reduce Harsh Penalties for Driving with an Invalid License
Policy Background
Currently, “Driving While License Invalid” (DWLI – a suspended license) is a fine-only Class C misdemeanor unless it is a person’s subsequent offense, in which case it becomes a Class B misdemeanor, warranting up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.
[2019 Session] Reduce the Penalty for Low-Level Marijuana Possession to a Class C Misdemeanor or Civil Penalty
Policy Background
Currently in Texas, possession of up to two ounces of marijuana is a Class B misdemeanor, punishable by up to six months in jail and a $2,000 fine.
[2019 Session] Fix the Bail System: Stop Punishing Poverty and Allow Safe Pretrial Release for Eligible Individuals
Policy Background
Bail is not intended to be a punishment; its intended purpose is to ensure that people appear for their court date. But in communities across Texas, people who are legally innocent are being held in jail – sometimes for months, risking job loss, eviction, and custody of their children – because they cannot afford to post bail; taxpayers foot the bill for their incarceration, their food, and their medical care.