Alternatives to Incarceration

[2015 Session] Reclassify Certain Nonviolent Misdemeanor and Felony Offenses

Policy Background:

Texas spends billions of dollars every year incarcerating individuals for offenses that are punished more harshly than necessary. For instance, individuals can receive up to two-year sentences for possessing less than a gram of a controlled substance, repeated prostitution offenses, and property crimes involving outdated monetary thresholds.

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[2015 Session] Continue to Fund Investments in a Strong Probation System by Helping Probation Departments Implement Localized “Commitment Reduction Plans” to Safely Reduce the Number of Individuals Who Fail Probation Terms and Are Sent to Prison

Read more about [2015 Session] Continue to Fund Investments in a Strong Probation System by Helping Probation Departments Implement Localized “Commitment Reduction Plans” to Safely Reduce the Number of Individuals Who Fail Probation Terms and Are Sent to Prison

[2015 Session] Repeal Texas’ Driver Responsibility Program and Identify Alternative Funding Sources for Trauma Hospitals

Read more about [2015 Session] Repeal Texas’ Driver Responsibility Program and Identify Alternative Funding Sources for Trauma Hospitals

[2015 Session] Implement Policies that Would Facilitate Individual Consideration of a Potential Employee’s Application by Delaying Background Checks for People with Criminal Histories

Read more about [2015 Session] Implement Policies that Would Facilitate Individual Consideration of a Potential Employee’s Application by Delaying Background Checks for People with Criminal Histories

[2015 Session] Modify Penalties for the Offense of Driving With an Invalid License

Policy Background:

Currently, the offense of “Driving While License Invalid” (e.g., suspended license) is a fine-only Class C misdemeanor unless it is a person’s second offense, in which case it becomes a Class B misdemeanor and warrants jail time.

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[2015 Session] Support Pretrial Services Divisions

Policy Background:

Pretrial Services Divisions assess defendants and help judges by providing them with objective release recommendations that can safely reduce costly jail overcrowding and increase safety and security in our communities.

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[2015 Session] Modify the Texas Government Code to Permit Probation Departments and Pretrial Services Entities to Supervise Pretrial Diversion Programs and Collect Fees for Participation

Read more about [2015 Session] Modify the Texas Government Code to Permit Probation Departments and Pretrial Services Entities to Supervise Pretrial Diversion Programs and Collect Fees for Participation

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