In what should not be a surprise, there is yet another legal clash between the state and Harris County. This time it's over the issuing of personal recognizance (PR) bonds.
On September 1st, Senate Bill 9 went into effect, prohibiting PR bonds being issued for certain offences, including new additions, unlawful possession of a firearm, violation of a family violence protective order, or making a terroristic threat, which are misdemeanors.
"But the law may be in conflict with a federal consent decree that governs misdemeanor bail in Harris County only" said reporter Holly Hansen with The Texan.
So what is really going on here? Harris County implemented the decree in 2019, as part of the left's nationwide defund the police and protect criminals push. But an appeals court rejected the decree in 2023. However, local Democrat leaders have yet to acknowledge it. In the meantime...
"Judges and magistrates could be found in contempt of federal court, and even face criminal charges if they comply with the Texas law instead of this federal consent decree" Hansen told KTRH.
AG Ken Paxton has intervened, but has already received pushback from local Democrat leaders who are trying to fight it.
"It certainly puts the judges and magistrates between a rock and a hard place about whether or not they should adhere to the state's new law governing those PR bonds, or should they adhere to the terms of that federal consent decree" noted Hansen.
The hope is that the issue will be resolved over the next month or so.