[00:00:06]
>>> APRIL IS 13TH, 2022. HARRIS CO-- BAIL BOND BOARD MEE.
I CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. IT IS 1:38 -- STRIKE THAT.
[A. READING OF PRIOR MINUTES]
IT IS 1:37 AND WE SHALL BEGIN. WE HAVE THE READING OF PRIOR MINUTES. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO WAIVE OF READING OF PRIOR MINUTES.>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> NOTICING THE MOTION TO APPROVE AND A SECOND, ANY DISCUSSION?
>> WHY DON'T WE IDENTIFY AROUND THE TABLE.
>> THANK YOU. >> AT THIS TIME I WILL INVITE OUR BOARD TO INTRODUCE THEMSELVES ONE AT A TIME.
>> HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ.
>> MARIO GARZA. >> DIRECTOR AND PRESIDING JUDGE
ELAINE MARSHALL. >> I'M HERE FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND D.A. AP OGG IS AT THE FUNERAL.
I'M HERE AS HER REPRESENTATIVE TODAY.
>> JUDGE AMY MARTIN. >> KATHERINE CASE, HERE FOR LINA
HIDALGO. >> FOR THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE
LAWYERS. >> HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT CLERK
MARILYN BURGESS. >> AND MY NAME IS JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ANGELA RODRIGUEZ. AND I'M HERE FOR THE JUSTICE COURT, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS.
AND I'M ELECTED VICE CHAIR AND ACTING CHAIR.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND WE'VE INTRODUCED OURSELVES.
AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF APPAPPROVING SAY AYE.
>> AYE. >> ALL THOSE OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? THANK YOU. ON TO B.
OLD BUSINESS. OLD BUSINESS MOVED TO THE END OF THE AGENDA. THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES JUDGE BALDWIN, WHO HAS JOINED US. WELCOME, JUDGE BALDWIN.
[C1. Election of the Harris County Bail Bond Board Chairman for the remainder of 2022.]
UNDER "C," NEW BUSINESS. 1, ELECTION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD CHAIRMAN FOR THE REMAINDER OF 2022.I'M GOING TO YIELD MOMENTARILY TO COUNSEL MCKINNEY, WHO WILL GO AHEAD AND CONDUCT THIS PORTION OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
AND HE WILL CALL FOR NOMINATIONS.
>> NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR ARE OPEN.
>> AND HE WILL CALL IT THREE TIMES.
ONCE HE GETS THE NOMINATION. [LAUGHTER]
>> NOMINATIONS FOR THE POSITION OF CHAIR ARE OPEN.
>> I NOMINATE TROY MCKINNEY. >>> I SECOND THAT NOMINATION.
>> I'LL NOMINATE DYLAN OSBORNE FOR CONSIDERATION.
>> TROY MCKINNEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO RUN FOR CHAIR AT THIS TIME? OR ACCEPT THE NOMINATION?
>> AND I'LL ALSO SECOND THE NOMINATION FOR DYLAN OSBORNE.
>> LAST CALL FOR NOMINATIONS. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO NOMINATE
THEMSELVES FOR THE POSITION? >> I'LL NOMINATE MYSELF.
MY NAME IS JUDGE ANGELA RODRIGUEZ.
I'VE BEEN SERVING FOR OVER TWO YEARS IN THIS POSITION.
IT WOULD BE AN HONOR TO SERVE AS CHAIR EITHER NOW OR IN THE
FUTURE. >> AND I'LL SECOND THAT
NOMINATION AS WELL. >> AND I'LL BE HAPPY WITH ANY ONE OF US SERVING FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS TERM.
>> SINCE WE HAVE THREE CANDIDATES, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE BEST WAY TO DO THE VOTE IS. LET'S TRY IT THIS WAY.
>> COULD YOU YIELD TO SOMEONE THAT'S NOT NOMINATED?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> MICHAEL, WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO
IT? >> WELL, I'M NOT SURE HOW TO DO IT EITHER. I APPRECIATE THAT FAVOR.
[LAUGHTER] >> JUST CALL FOR THE VOTE.
>> I KNOW, TROY, YOU HAVE SERVED AS VICE CHAIR BEFORE.
JUDGE RODRIGUEZ, OF COURSE, HAS BEEN OUR VICE CHAIR.
MR. OS BORNE I'M SURE YOU WOULD DO A GREAT JOB AS WELL.
I GUESS WE CAN CALL IN THE ORDER THAT THEY WERE NOMINATED.
AND THEN THE FIRST -- I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT.
>> A VOICE VOTE? >> FIRST IT WILL START -- ALL IN
[00:05:05]
FAVOR. >> IN THE PAST IT'S BEEN A VOICE
VOTE. >> WE HAVE THREE AT THE SAME TIME. EACH MEMBER CAN VOTE FOR THE CANDIDAE THEY WISH TO. THEN WE COULD GO THROUGH ONCE.
>> I'VE GOT A SUGGESTION. WHY DON'T WE DO THE -- WRITE A
NAME DOWN. >> INSTEAD OF GOING THERE AT THIS MOMENT, WE HAVE A COMMENT FROM -- WHAT DID YOU HAVE?
>> TOMMY. >> I WAS JUST SUGGESTING THAT YOU MAKE A MOTION THAT ESSENTIALLY THE VOTING HAPPEN THROUGH A MOTION PROCESS. RATHER THAN --
>> I WOULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THE WRITING THE NAME ON A PIECE OF PAPER, BECAUSE WE WANT THE VOTES.
>> IF I MAY, NORMALLY WHEN YOU HAVE MULTIPLE NOMINATIONS, YOU WOULD VOTE ON THEM IN ORDER. SO SOMEONE WOULD MAKE THE FIRST NOMINATION AND IF IT PASSES, THAT'S IT.
BUT IF IT FAILS, THEN YOU WOULD GO ON TO THE NEXT ONE.
>> WHAT I'LL DO IS AT THIS TIME I'M GOING TO DECLINE THE NOMINATION AND SECOND. I DO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT.
AND I WILL GO AHEAD AND LEAVE TWO INSTEAD OF THREE.
>> OKAY. >> YOU'VE GOT TO DECIDE HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS. WHETHER WE'RE GOING TO VOTE ALL
AT THE SAME TIME. >> YOU'RE OKAY WITH DOING THE FIRST NOMINATION AND VOTING ON THAT?
YOUR NAME WAS SECOND. >> TELL US HOW YOU WOULD DO IT.
>> OR DO IT ALL IN FAVOR OF THIS PERSON.
ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT PERSON. WHOEVER GETS THE MOST VOTES.
AND ONLY GET TO VOTE ONCE. >> AND SO IT'S STILL REQUIRES
THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD. >> YES.
A MAJORITY. >> ARE YOU AMENABLE TO THAT, IN A SINGLE SITTING, EVERYONE WILL VOTE FOR THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE. WHOEVER GETS --
>> THAT'S NOT A MOTION. >> I'LL REVISE MY MOTION TO HAVE EVERYONE -- HAVE THE CHAIR, THE ACTING CHAIR TO CALL FOR VOTES FOR ONE PERSON, CALL FOR VOTES FOR THE OTHER PERSON.
WHOEVER RECEIVES THE MOST VOTES BECOMES THE NEW CHAIR OF THE
>> JUDGE, YOU WITHDREW YOUR NAME.
>> REEF ALREADY BOGGED -- WE'VE ALREADY BOGGED DOWN AT THE
BEGINNING. >> BEING THAT I TECHNICALLY WAS NOMINATED AND THERE WAS A SECOND ON THE RECORD, FOR THE INTEREST OF CLARITY AND TRANSPARENCY, I'M GOING TO PREFER THAT YOU GO AHEAD AND COMPLETE THE VOTE. SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE ON WITH
>> AND THEN IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NEW CHAIR WOULD BE INSTALLED AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> WELL, SET THAT ISSUE ASIDE AND LET'S VOTE FOR THE CHAIR.
MR. MCKINNEY'S NAME WAS CALLED FIRST.
THE FIRST MOTION WAS FOR MR. MCKINNEY AND IT WAS SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR FOR MR. MCKINNEY TO SERVE AS CHAIRMAN.
LET'S HAVE A RAISE OF HANDS, IF YOU DON'T MIND.
ALL RIGHT. THAT'S ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN. WHICH IS A MAJORITY OF THE 11 MEMBERS PRESENT. THAT MOTION HAVING PREVAILED, I DON'T BELIEVE THERE'S A NECESSITY TO GO INTO THE SECOND MOTION. AND SO MR. MCKINNEY, YOU'LL BE THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE 2022 YEAR.
>> MICHAEL, CAN WE GET -- WE NEED NAMES FOR THE RECORD.
>> SORRY. THOSE VOTING IN FAVOR, IF YOU COULD RAISE YOUR HANDS. JUDGE MARSHALL, MIKESELF, MICHAEL, JUDGE RODRIGUEZ, JUDGE MARTIN, JUDGE BALDWIN AND MR. MCKINNEY VOTING FOR HIMSELF.
SEVEN MEMBERS VOTING. >> THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. VERY GLAD TO YIELD TO.
>> I HAVE NO PREFERENCE NOR DO I CARE THAT I CONTINUE ON WITH
>> SO CONTINUE ON WITH THE MEETING.
>> OKAY. >> UNLESS SOMEBODY OBJECTS OR
UNLESS WE CAN'T DO IT THIS WAY. >> MAY I BE RECOGNIZED FOR A
>> AT THIS TIME DO YOU YIELD TO ME, SUBJECT TO OPPOSITE OF YIELDING WHATEVER THAT WORD IS, IF ANYONE -- OKAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO YIELD TO ME AT THIS TIME?
>> THANK YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE COUNSEL MCKINNEY FOR BEING ELECTED FOR THE REMAINING OF 2022. HE WILL BE INSTALLED NEXT MONTH.
AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT HE HAS SERVED EITHER AS VICE CHAIR OR CHAIR. BACK WHEN I WAS ELECTED, SOME YEARS AGO, COUNSEL MCKINNEY DID SERVE IN CAPACITY OF EITHER VICE CHAIR OR CHAIR OR A COMBINATION OF THE TWO, DEPENDING ON WHO WAS AVAILABLE FOR THIS MONTH'S MEETING.
AND, NEVERTHELESS, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO ON TO OUR
[C2. Request by Judge Angela Rodriguez for discussion and potential action acknowledging former Chair Glenn Stickland and his years of service to the Harris County Bail Bond Board.]
NEXT ORDER OF BUSINESS. UNDER NEW BUSINESS, "C," 2, REQUEST BY JUDGE ANGELA RODRIGUEZ, THAT'S ME, FOR DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ACKNOWLEDGING FORMER CHAIR GLENN STICKLAND AND HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY[00:10:03]
BAIL BOND BOARD. AT THIS TIME I WILL OPEN IT FOR A BRIEF DISCUSSION. I DON'T ANTICIPATE IT TO TAKE VERY LONG. STARTING WITH.>> MADAM CHAIR, WHAT WAS THE REQUEST?
>> SURE. UNDER ITEM C2, REQUEST BY JUDGE ANGELA RODRIGUEZ FOR DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION ACKNOWLEDGING FORMER CHAIR GLENN STICKLAND AND HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I THINK GLENN WAS RESPECTED BY THE ENTIRE BONDING COMMUNITY AND BEYOND.
I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE.
HE WAS ALSO A VETERAN, HAVING SERVED IN THE U.S. NAVY AND PROBABLY SERVED OUR COUNTRY FROM 1965 TO 1974 IN VIETNAM AND THE PHILIPPINES AS WELL. HE WAS A CHAIRMAN FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND ALSO SERVED AS A BAIL BOND BOARD REPRESENTATIVE SINCE 2004. HE WAS VERY WELL RESPECTED AND HE WILL BE MISSED. HIS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FAR BEYOND. SO JUST WANT TO COMMEND HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR A LIFE WELL LIVED AND WELL SERVED.
>> I WOULD JUST ADD THAT HE WAS A PUBLIC SERVANT.
MR. STRICKLAND DESERVES PRAISE FOR THAT AND OUR GRATITUDE FOR HIS YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY.
WE APPRECIATE THAT AND OUR CONDOLENCES OBVIOUSLY TO HIS
FAMILY. >> GLENN STICKLAND WAS A BIG PRESENCE IN THE BONDING COMMUNITY.
THERE WERE MANY STORIES ABOUT HIM.
I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS 14 YEARS. SO I GOT TO KNOW HIM.
AND DEFINITELY A COLORFUL CHARACTER.
HUGE PRESENCE IN THE ROOM, KNOWLEDGEABLE.
AND HE'LL BE GREATLY MISSED. THANK YOU.
>> AND WITH MY TERM WITH THE CITY AND WITH MY TERM AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I GOT TO MEET MR. STRICKLAND AND HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR OVER 40 SOMETHING YEARS.
HE WAS THE TYPE OF PERSON THAT YOU COULD TALK TO.
YOU COULD AGREE TO DISAGREE AND MOVE ON DOWN THE ROAD.
IF THIS ACTION IS FOR SOMETHING IN TERMS OF A PLAQUE OR SOMETHING HONORING HIM, OR SOMETHING TO GIVE TO HIS FAMILY IN TERMS OF HOW WE APPRECIATE HIS SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND THE CITY, I'M ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT.
>> YEP. >> GLENN WOULD BE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT EVERYONE IS BEING SO POSITIVE AND GUSHY ABOUT HIM. [LAUGHTER] KNOWING THAT HE HAD SERVED FROM 2004 ON THE BOARD.
THAT'S THE YEAR I GRADUATED FROM LAW SCHOOL.
HE HAD BEEN HERE A WHILE. HE WAS A CONSTANT PRESENCE.
WE HAD MANY, MEN DISAGREEMENTS, WHICH WILL NOT SURPRISE ANYONE WHO KNOWS GLENN. HE KNOWS THAT AS A COMPLIMENT AND BADGE OF HONOR. NO SHAME WHATSOEVER.
HE WAS A LARGER-THAN-LIFE PRESENCE.
HE WAS SOMEONE YOU COULD COUNT ON TO ALWAYS BE HERE.
VERY FEW MEETINGS BASED BY GLENN.
WHEN HE HAD TO, IT WAS FOR ISSUES BEYOND HIS CONTROL.
SO I'VE ALREADY MISSED HIM. I HAVE MISSED ARGUING WITH HIM.
AND, YOU KNOW, HE WOULD WANT SOMEONE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF A BUREAU UNDER THE SADDLE AND ABRASIVE.
I FELT THE NEED TO DO THAT. OF COURSE, TO SEND THE CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY THAT WE RECOGNIZED.
AND HIS SON WAS LICENSED LAST MEETING I BELIEVE OR MAYBE TWO MEETINGS AGO. AND SO HE'LL CONTINUE THAT BUSINESS THAT GLENN WORKED HARD TO SET UP.
THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU.
I HAVE A FEW MORE COMMENTS. HOWEVER, I JUST WANT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF MY -- WHAT I WAS THINKING BEHIND ACKNOWLEDGING THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE SOME TIME AFTER THE MEETING, NOT TODAY, IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO PUT A LITTLE SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR HIM. AND YOU READ MY MIND, JUDGE.
I WAS THINKING SOMETHING IN TERMS OF A PLAQUE AND WE COULD FIND AN APPROPRIATE TIME IN ORDER TO INVITE HIS FAMILY TO RECEIVE THAT. I BELIEVE IT IS GERMANE TO THE PROCEEDINGS, BECAUSE HE DIRECTLY SERVED ON THE BAIL BOND BOARD FOR MANY YEARS. THAT BEING SAID WE'RE DEALING WITH -- JUST BRIEFLY WE'RE DEALING WITH THE TOPIC OF JUSTICE AND EQUAL JUSTICE UNDER THE LAW.
WE WOULD LOVE TO COMMEMORATE SO MANY PEOPLE.
BUT THE REASON WE MENTION IT HERE, IS BECAUSE IT'S A LITTLE BIT OVER THREE MONTHS THAT GLENN STICKLAND WAS ELECTED BY HIS PEERS. AND I EVEN ASKED FOR A PICTURE TO BE TAKEN. AND I CHERISH THAT PICTURE.
I BELIEVE THERE WERE FIVE BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT.
AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE FASTEST MEETINGS WE HAD EVER HAD.
I BELIEVE ONLY ONE LICENSE IN -- ON THE AGENDA.
AND SO THE MEETING LASTED LESS THAN 15 MINUTES I BELIEVE.
AND HOPEFULLY MY COMMENTS ON THIS AGENDA ITEM DIDN'T LAST OVER 15 MINUTES. BUT, NEVERTHELESS, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP MOVING ON AND HE'S TAUGHT ME WELL HOW TO KEEP MOVING ALONG AND KEEP DECORUM. BUT THAT BEING SAID, I WAS
[00:15:04]
LOOKING AT FORMING A SMALL GROUP TO GO AHEAD AND COORDINATE THAT AT A LATER TIME. SO THAT WAS MY IDEA BEHIND IT.>> I DIDN'T HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET GLENN UNTIL I JOINED THE BOARD. AND I WISH I HAD GOTTEN TO MEET HIM SOONER. HE IS THE PERSON WHO NO MATTER HOW BAD YOUR DAY WAS OR HOW MUCH YOU WERE DREADING THE REST OF YOUR DAY, HE HAD SOMETHING OFTEN INAPPROPRIATE, BUT VERY FUNNY AND WOULD ALWAYS -- HE WOULD NOT LET UP UNTIL HE MADE YOU SMILE.
IT'S SO REFRESHING TO BE WITH SOMEONE WHO TAKES THEIR JOB AND THEIR COMMUNITY SERIOUSLY BUT DOESN'T TAKE THEMSELVES QUITE AS
SERIOUSLY. >> I GUESS THAT WOULD BE MY TURN NEXT. GLENN -- I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY -- I WISH I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY IT TO HIM DIRECTLY.
I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY TO HIS SON HOW MUCH HIS PRESENCE WOULD BE MISSED HERE ON THE BOARD.
AND I'LL SAY ON RECORD AND EVERYONE WILL PROBABLY AGREE.
WE ALL PROBABLY HEAVILY DEPENDED ON HIS LEADERSHIP.
AND SO WE MISS HIM IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE.
AND SO I'M HAPPY TO JOIN IN ANY WAY THAT WE MIGHT HONOR HIS MEMORY AND THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE ON THIS BOARD.
>> GLENN WAS ONE OF THOSE GUYS ABOUT WHOM YOU SAY, HE'D FORGOTTEN MORE ABOUT BAIL BOND LAW THAN A LOT OF US WOULD EVER KNOW. AND WHAT I THINK ABOUT, CHAIRWOMAN, IS THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN I RECALL WHEN MY FATHER DIED, BECAUSE HE'D SERVED IN THE MILITARY, THEY SENT A MEDALLION TO BE PLACED ON HIS TOMB STONE, TO RECOGNIZE HIS SERVICE.
AND WHILE I THINK PLAQUES ARE GREAT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT GLENN'S BURIAL PLANS WERE, I MEAN, I ACTUALLY THINK SOMETHING LIKE THAT, REFLECTING HIS PUBLIC SERVICE TO THIS COUNTY.
HIS UNPAID PUBLIC SERVICE WOULD BE APPRPRIATE.
SO I JUST PASS THAT ON. >> I AGREE THAT THE BAIL BOND BOARD HAS LOST A GREAT DEAL OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WITH GLENN NOT BEING HERE ANY MORE. THAT INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE IS HARD TO COME BY THESE DAYS AND LARGELY IRREPLACEABLE.
NO ONE WOULD DEW POINT TEMPERATURE THAT -- DISPUTE HE HAD BECOME CRUSTY AT TIMES, HE WAS ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE WITH WHOM YOU COULD DISAGREE, WITHOUT EITHER OF YOU BEING DISAGREEABLE. AND FRANKLY THAT'S A LOT MORE OLD SCHOOL THAN IT IS POPULAR TODAY.
BUT IT'S A LESSON FROM HIM THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE THE HEART ON LOTS OF ISSUES. GLENN, WE'RE GOING TO MISS YOU,
BUDDY. >> GLENN STICKLAND WAS A DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT AND HIS PRESENCE ON THIS BOARD WILL BE GREATLY MISSED. I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF ACKNOWLEDGING AND THANKING HIM FOR HIS SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. AND AT THIS TIME I FORM A COMMITTEE OF THREE, MYSELF, MR. MARIO GARZA AND MISS SHANNON BALDWIN. I INVITE YOU TO HAVE THE SPAWL COMMITTEE TO GET TOGETHER AT A LATER TIME.
>> THANK YOU. >> ONCE WE HAVE SOME IDEAS MORE CONCRETE, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND BRING IT TO THE BOARD, SO THAT WE CAN FURTHER DISCUSS. THANK YOU.
>> THIS ALSO MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO ANNOUNCE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND SEE IF THERE'S ANYBODY WHO HAS ANY.
>> THANK YOU. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM? HEARING NONE, WE'LL MOVE ON. AND, BY THE WAY, I WOULD LIKE TO -- I DIDN'T ADDRESS THIS IN THE BEGINNING.
BUT IT IS MY PURPOSE TO RUN THE MEETING AND TO KEEP ORDER HERE.
AND I THANK EVERYONE PRESENT SO FAR FOR DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO KEEP ORDER AND WE'RE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVERYONE THAT IS TO BE HEARD, THAT IS OFFICIALLY SIGNED UP FOR PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE CONCLUSION OF THIS MEETING, JUST AS WE'VE DONE FOR MANY YEARS.
THANK YOU KINDLY. AND ANY EFFORTS BY MYSELF TO KEEP ORDER, IF I FIND IT NECESSARY TO ADDRESS IT, IT'S NOT ANYTHING PERSONAL AGAINST ANYONE OR AGAINST ANY IDEA.
IT'S JUST MY DUTY AS ACTING CHAIR AT THIS TIME.
AND COUNSEL MCKINNEY, YOU LET ME KNOW IF YOU'RE READY TO TAKE OVER AT A LATER TIME. GIVE ME A HIGH FIVE.
[LAUGHTER] ON TO THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM.
[C3. Request for Renewal of License]
ON TO NUMBER 3. COMFORT FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE.ALLEGHENY CASUALTY COMPANY. VOIR DIRE INCOMPLETE.
AGENT THOMAS STITH II. DBA: NORTH MAIN BAIL BOND COMPANY. 108 PECORE STREET.
[00:20:02]
HOUSTON, TEXAS. 77009.ORIGINAL DATE, 5/13 SPANISH 2008.
EXPIRATION DATE 5/23/2022. PHONE NUMBER (713)869-5625 FOR A THREE-YEAR LICENSE. SIR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME
BEFORE THE BOARD. >> THOMAS STITH.
>> WHO DO YOU HAVE WITH YOU? WELCOME, SIR.
RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND BEFORE US. AND BEFORE ME.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD TO BE THE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO
>> THANK YOU. >> MR. STITT, I THINK YOUR MICROPHONE IS OFF THERE. THERE YOU GO.
PERFECT. DOES ANYONE HAVE PUBLIC COMMENT? WE'LL HAVE DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM.
AND WE'LL ACTUALLY HAVE QUESTIONS.
BEGINNING WITH OUR SHERIFF. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
THE "NORTH MAIN BAIL BOND COMPANY, LICENSE NUMBER 74494.
THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED. ALL FILES INSPECTED WERE IN COMPLIANCE. A COPY WILL BE NEEDED.
AND THE BONDING OFFICE ONCE RENEWED.
NO PAST UNPAID JUDGMENTS OWED TO HARRIS COUNTY, AS OF APRIL THE 12TH OF THIS YEAR AND THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION.
AND WOULD BE READY FOR A VOTE. >> NO QUESTIONS FROM --
>> MR. OSBORNE, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> MICHAEL. >> THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS. NO FURTHER QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU.
CHAIR, WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
WE'LL CALL A VOTE NOW. ALL IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY SAYING
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE AYES HAVE IT. CONGRATULATIONS, SIR.
[C4. Request for Renewal of License]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MOVING ON TO AGENDA ITEM 4 UNDER "C," NEW BUSINESS. WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE. BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY.
VOIR DIRE INCOMPLETE. AGENT MARIA SANCHEZ, DBA: X-IT BAIL BONDS. 7434 BROWNWOOD STREET.
PHONE NUMBER (713)222-8880. EXPIRATION DATE 5/23/2022.
FOR A THREE-YEAR LICENSE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.
>> MARIA SANCHEZ. >> THANK YOU.
AND YOU HAVE TWO GENTLEMAN WITH YOU.
PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND BEFORE YOU.
MA'AM, DO YOU SWEAR AFFIRM THE TESTIMONY TO BE THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH SO HELP YOU GOD.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> WE WILL GO TO QUESTIONS.
COULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSE, GENTLEMAN.
>> CORPORATE REVENUE ATTORNEY FOR BANKERS INSURANCE COMPANY.
>> ON BEHALF OF MARIA SANCHEZ, PERSONALLY.
>> ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU. WE WILL BEGIN QUESTIONS.
SHERIFF. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED. ALL FILES INSPECTED WERE IN COMPLIANCE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE KNOWS OF NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS OWED TO HARRIS COUNTY, AS OF APRIL 1ST OF 2022. THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION.
IT STANDS READY FOR A VOTE. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. THERE ARE NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS.
SO I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. FOR BAIL BONDS AGENT MARIA SANCHEZ, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> TROY MCKINNEY, MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> JUDGE MARTIN, SECOND. >> THANK YOU.
>> ANY PUBLIC COMMENT? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE AYES HAVE IT. CONGRATULATIONS, MA'AM.
>> THANK YOU. >> POINT OF ORDER.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT TO POINT OUT JUST FOR THE SAKE OF CLARITY. I DON'T THINK THERE'S A PUBLIC COMMENT SIGN-UP LIST OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT THAT'S DISTRIBUTED.
SO I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO DO THAT THREE TIMES.
JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S CORRECT.
>> THANK YOU. YOU ACTUALLY BRING UP TWO POINTS. IS THERE -- WHEN DO WE ASK FOR
[00:25:03]
PUBLIC COMMENT. AS YOU CAN SEE IN OTHER BOARDS AND OTHER AREAS, THERE USUALLY IS A VERY -- SOMETIMES A -- YOU HAVE TO TELL THEM WAY IN ADVANCE, WHATNOT.THAT'S NOT WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE.
EVERYONE THAT IS HERE IS GOING TO GET A CHANCE TO BE HEARD ON THAT AGENDA ITEM, THAT HAS BEEN NOTICED PROPERLY UNDER THEM ALL.
BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PONTING THAT OUT.
AND REGARDING WHEN WE ASK FOR PUBLIC COMMENT, THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT WAYS THAT HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED, DEPENDING ON THE BOARD. AND THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT ACCEPTABLE WAYS. SO IT JUST DEPENDS ON THE BOARD.
FOR NOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CHECK FOR EACH ITEM.
SOMETIMES PEOPLE WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THEIR AGENDA ITEM COMES UP AND THEY'D RATHER NOT MAKE THE PUBLIC COMMENT A LITTLE TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE, FOR THE PURPOSES OF BEING HEARD DURING THE VOTING OF THAT AGENDA ITEM. AND EACH AGENDA ITEM IN PARTICULAR IS NOT -- SOMETIMES IT'S JUST DISCUSSION AND THERE MAY NOT BE ANY ACTION. OR DIFFERENT ACTIONS OTHER THAN VOTING FOR OR AGAINST. NEVERTHELESS, ON TO NUMBER 5.
[C5. Request for Renewal of License]
C5 UNDER NEW BUSINESS. REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE.FINANCIAL CASUALTY & SURETY, IN. VOIR DIRE INCOMPLETE.
AGENT RODNEY VANNERSON. LICENSE NUMBER 74498.
DBA: AARON BAIL BONDS. 409 FANNIN STREET.
HOUSTON TEXAS. ORIGINAL DATE, 7/8/2013.
EXPIRATION DATE, 7/18/2022. PHONE NUMBER (713)223-2663.
FOR A THREE-YEAR LICENSE. SIR, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME BEFORE THE BOARD, WHENEVER YOU'RE READY.
COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME?
>> MY NAME IS RODNEY VANNERSON. >> THANK YOU.
AT THIS TIME I ASK YOU TO RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND TO BE SWORN BEFORE ME. SIR, DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM -- SIR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE SWORN IN?
WHAT IS YOUR NAME AGAIN? >> DARIUS.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. FOR BOTH OF YOU, PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND BEFORE THE BORDER AND MYSELF.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD TO BE THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
>> COULD I PLEASE MAKE ONE COMMENT?
>> OF COURSE. >> THE LICENSE NUMBER, WHEN YOU READ THE NUMBER, YOU SAID 74498. THE ACTUAL NUMBER FOR MINUTES --
PURPOSE OF MINUTES IS 74497. >> I'LL BE HAPPY TO REPEAT IT.
>> IT'S ON THE AGENDA CORRECTLY. >> SURE.
OKAY. I'LL BE HAPPY TO REPEAT IT.
LICENSE NUMBER 74497. THANK YOU.
OFTEN TIMES WHEN ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN ATTORNEYS OF FIRST THING THEY DO, THEY MEMORIZE THEIR BAR NUMBERS.
I UNDERSTAND. YOU HEARD IT INCORRECTLY.
AT THIS TIME, AS BEFORE, WE WILL ENTERTAIN QUESTIONS FROM OUR BOARD. STARTING WITH OUR SHERIFF.
>> THANK YOU. THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED.
ALL FILES INSPECTED WERE IN COMPLIANCE.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE KNOWS OF NO PAST-DUE UNPAID JUDGMENTS OWED TO HARRIS COUNTY SINCE APRIL OF THIS YEAR.
APRIL 12TH OF THIS YEAR. THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION.
SO WE STAND READY FOR A VOTE. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE NO QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE NO QUESTIONS.
>> THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS.
SO I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
COULD WE PLEASE, LIKE I SAID LAST MONTH, I BELIEVE THIS IS MY THIRD-STRAIGHT MEETING THAT I'VE CHAIRED.
AND WE'RE LEARNING BIT BY BIT AREN'T WE.
WHAT I'D LIKE FOR THE INDULGENCE OF OUR RECORD, BECAUSE OUR RECORD KEEPING TRADITIONALLY IS RECORDED.
OKAY. OF ANY MEDIA THAT MAY HAVE BEEN INVITED OR WHAT NOT, SEPARATE AND APART FROM OUR OFFICIAL RECORD. SO COULD WE DO THAT ONE MORE TIME. DO YOU INDULGE ME, PLEASE, AND DO IT ONE MORE TIME. FIRST STATE YOUR NAME SO THAT
THE RECORD WILL BE CLEAR. >> SURE.
>> SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ. >> COUNTY TREASURER DYLAN
OSBORNE. >> MARIO GARZA, BAIL BONDSMAN
REP. >> JUDGE ELAINE MARSHALL,
THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE, THERE ARE NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS.
I HAVE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS. >> ANGELA RODRIGUEZ, NO
QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE MARTIN, NO QUESTIONS.
>> JUDGE BALDWIN, NO QUESTIONS. >> TROY MCKINNEY, NO
QUESTIONS. >> WELL, YOUNG MAN, WE ARE SAILING THROUGH YOUR AGENDA ITEM.
>> THIS IS MICHAEL. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE RENEWAL. >> TROY MCKINNEY.
SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
[00:30:02]
ANY ABSTENTIONS? AND THE CHAIR RECOGNIZES THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. THE AYES HAVE IT.IT'S APPROVED. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT.
ON TO NUMBER 6. C, NEW BUSINESS.
[C6. Request for Renewal of License]
NUMBER 6. REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE.FINANCIAL CASUALTY & SURETY, IN. VOIR DIRE INCLEAT.
AGENT SHEBA MUHARIB. LICENSE NUMBER 74571.
DBA: AABLE BONDS. WITH TWO A'S.
1620 AUSTIN STREET, HOUSTON, TEXAS, 77002.
ORIGINAL DATE 6/14/2016. EXPIRATION DATE 6/30/2022.
PHONE NUMBER (713)955-2663. FOR A TWO-YEAR LICENSE.
AT THIS TIME THE CHAIR WILL GO TO QUESTIONS.
STARTING WITH OUR SHERIFF. >> SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ.
THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED -- >> I'M SO SORRY.
I NEED TO SWEAR HER IN. >> OH.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESERVE YOUR COMMENT UNTIL AFTER THE
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MA'AM, PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME
FOR THE BOARD. >> SHEBA MUHARIB.
>> COULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND BEFORE ME.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD TO BE THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
>> OKAY. AND THE TWO GENTLEMAN WITH YOU.
WE HAVE MR. GOOD, COUNSEL GOOD AND COUNSEL MCGUIRE.
I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INTERRUPTION, SHERIFF.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. SHERIFF GONZALEZ.
THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED. ALL FILES INSPECTED WERE IN COMPLIANCE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE KNOWS OF NO PAST-DUE UNPAID JUDGMENTS TO HARRIS COUNTY, AS OF APRIL 12TH, 2022. THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION.
WE STAND READY TO VOTE. >> MR. OSBORNE.
>> DYLAN OSBORNE. NO QUESTIONS.
IF I MAY TAKE JUST A MOMENT, BECAUSE WE NEVER HAVE AN AUDIENCE THIS LARGE. MOST OF US WON'T HAVE QUESTIONS THROUGHOUT THIS MEETING, BECAUSE WE'RE LOOKING FOR PARTICULAR THINGS IN THEIR APPLICATION PACKET.
JUST OCCURRED TO ME THAT THEY MAY THINK IT'S ODD -- NONE OF US EVER HAVE QUESTIONS, RIGHT. SO, NO.
WE GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION PACKET, ASSUMING EVERYTHING IS THERE. YOU WON'T HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS UP HERE. IT'S NOT THAT WE'RE NOT LOOKING AT IT. WE DON'T HAVE QUESTIONS AT THE
>> JUDGE ELAINE MARSHALL. NO QUESTIONS.
>> JUST TO ECHO WHAT MR. OSBORNE SAID AND TO REALLY GIVE THANKS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE VETS THE APPLICATIONS INITIALLY. ALONG WITH OUR OFFICE.
WE SPEND MANY, MANY, MANY DAYS LEADING UP TO THE MEETING TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS IN ORDER, SO WHEN WE GET HERE, HOPEFULLY ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED.
THAT'S WHY WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TODAY.
SO THANKS TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THAT.
ON THIS AGENDA ITEM, THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE.
NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS. I DO NOT HAVE ADDITIONAL
>> I DO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE STATE SENATOR WHITMIRE'S PRESENCE AND ALSO OUR COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
I HAVE NO QUESTIONS AT THIS TIME.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT TO ACKNOWLEDGE REPRESENTATIVE YAN JOHNSON TODAY. JUDGE MARTIN, NO QUESTIONS.
>> CAN YOU PASS ME THE MIC. >> KATHERINE CASE.
I HAVE A QUESTION. MS. MUHARIB.
MARIO GARZA, WHO SITS ON THE BOARD, APPEARED BEFORE THE COURT ON FEBRUARY 8TH, 2022. THE TRANSCRIPT IS UP PUBLICLY.
BUT I'M GOING TO READ TO YOU WHAT WAS SAID, BECAUSE I BELIEVE
THAT IT CONCERNS YOUR BUSINESS. >> OKAY.
>> OKAY. AMONG THE THINGS THAT MR. GARZA SAID AND IT GOES ON FOR MANY PAGES.
THERE ARE SIX BONDING COMPANIES DOING THINGS THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING. IF Y'ALL WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AND NAME NAMES, I WILL.
THEY ARE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF, END QUOTE.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID YOU WILL NAME THEM.
WHO WER THE SIX? AND MR. GARZA, THREE OF THEM ARE FAMILY MEMBERS. MUHARIB, ALL ACCESS AND THERE IS EXIT BAIL BONDS AND FEARLESS BAIL BONDS AND JBC BAIL BONDS.
THERE IS ONE MORE AND IT IS A FAMILY MEMBER OF THE MUHARIB'S.
THEY'RE BEHIND THE BONDS THAT ARE BEING DONE.
THE SAD PART ABOUT IT IS, THEY'RE DOING THEM AS SUCH LITTLE PERCENTAGE. THE NEXT DAY TELLING PEOPLE THEY OWE THE REST. THAT IS A FORM OF THE DECEPTIVE TRADE PRACTICE, IF I'M CORRECT. YOU ARE TELLING THEM ONE THING
[00:35:02]
AND DOING SOMETHING ELSE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.I HAVE NEVER DONE THAT. I WANT TO KNOW FIRST IF YOU WANT
TO RESPOND TO THAT? >> THERE'S GOING TO BE A FEW QUESTIONS, THOUGH. IF YOU COULD HANDLE THEM ONE AT A TIME. IF YOU HAVE A DOUBT, YOU CAN CONSULT YOUR ATTORNEY. PLEASE CONTINUE.
>> I'M FINANCIAL CASUALTY & SURETY, INC.'S ATTORNEY.
>> MISS MUHARIB HAS A CORPORATE LICENSE.
THE CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE IS HERE.
WHEN WE GET ALLEGATIONS LIKE THIS, WE OPEN INVESTIGATION.
JUST LIKE THE SHERIFF ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK -- LAST MONTH, THEY HAD CONDUCTED AN INVESTIGATION AND AUDIT.
THEY FOUND NOTHING TRUE ABOUT THESE ALLEGATIONS.
WE CONDUCTED AN AUDIT OF THE OFFICE AS WELL.
AND FOUND THAT THE ALLEGATIONS WERE NOT TRUE AS WELL.
I THINK MR. GARZA, HE CAN SPEAK FOR HIMSELF, I THINK SINCE THAT MEETING SAYS HE MAY HAVE MISSPOKE.
BUT WHAT THIS ISSUE IS AN ISSUE ABOUT VOLUME RIDERS, WHO ARE CHARGING WHAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOUND TO BE 8% TO 10%, WHICH IS COMPLETELY CONTRARY TO THE ALLEGATION.
AND, YOU KNOW, SHE CAN SPEAK. ARE YOU RIPPING PEOPLE OFF?
>> NOT AT ALL. >> I MEAN, ARE YOU TAKING
ADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE? >> NOT AT ALL.
>> WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOUND.
AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU. IF FINANCIAL CASUALTY FOUND ANY TRUTH TO THE ALLEGATIONS, WE WOULDN'T BE HERE ON A RENEWAL.
WE WOULD BE PRESENTING TO THE BOARD A RUNOFF PLAN FOR THIS LICENSE. BECAUSE WE COME BEFORE THIS BOARD ALL THE TIME. AND WE USE GOODWILL WHEN WE COME BEFORE THIS BOARD. AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE GOODWILL TO TRY TO DEFEND ACTIONS, THAT WE FIND TO BE IMPROPER. BUT WHEN WE CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION, AND WE LOOK INDEPENDENTLY AT ALLEGATIONS AND DETERMINE THE ALLEGATIONS ARE NOT TRUE, THEN WE'RE GOING TO STAND WITH OUR AGENT AND DEFEND HER AND THAT'S WHAT WE'RE DOING
HERE TODAY. >> MY OTHER QUESTION, BASED ON THESE ALLEGATIONS, IS ARE YOU BEFORE POSTING BONDS, ACCEPTING
LESS THAN A 10% PREMIUM? >> WE DO WORK OUT PAYMENT PLANS
WITH OUR CUSTOMERS. >> DOES THAT MEAN THAT YOU WOULD ACCEPT LESS THAN 10% UP FRONT, BEFORE POSTING THE BOND?
>> I WOULD LIKE -- UNLESS IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH MY RENEWAL,
MA'AM, I WOULD LIKE TO -- >> ANSWER THE QUESTION.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING PAYMENT PLANS IN HARRIS COUNTY?
>> SINCE I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS. >> ONE MOMENT.
ONE MOMENT. WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONSULT WITH YOUR ATTORNEY ONE MORE TIME OR WOULD YOU LIKE FOR HIM TO MAKE A SPEECH PERHAPS REGARDING THESE QUESTIONS?
EITHER WAY IT'S UP TO YOU. >> THE QUESTION IS DO YOU ACCEPT A PAYMENT PLAN AND THEN IMPOSE THE BOND?
>> YES, I DO. >> AND IS THAT SOMETHING YOU'VE DONE EVER SINCE YOU'VE BEEN ■INS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD TO BE THE
[C7. Request for Renewal of License]
[00:55:05]
TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. >> YES.
[00:55:07]
>> THE TWO GENTLEMAN A THAT ARE WITH YOU HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY
[00:55:15]
INTRODUCED. AT THIS TIME WE WILL MOVE TO[00:55:17]
QUESTIONS. SHERIFF.>> SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ. THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED.
THAT'S CLUTCH CITY BAIL BONDS. ALL FILES INSPECTED WERE IN COMPLIANCE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE KNOWS OF NO PAST-DUE UNPAID JUDGMENTS OWED TO HARRIS COUNTY.
THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS APPLICATION. AND WE STAND READY FOR A VOTE.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> MR. MARIO GARZA.
DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> NO QUESTIONS.
JUDGE. >> JUDGE MARSHALL, NO QUESTIONS.
>> THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. NO UNPAID JUDGMENTS.
SO I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
NO QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE BALDWIN.
>> JUDGE BALDWIN, NO QUESTIONS. >> KATHRYN KASE, NO QUESTIONS.
>> TROY MCKINNEY, NO QUESTIONS. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A
I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RENEWAL.
>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
>> ALL THOSE -- ANY OPPOSED? WHO DID THE SECOND? MISS BURGESS. THANK YOU.
THIS IS LESLEY SPEAKING. CAN YOU STATE THE NAME FOR THE RECORD. THIS IS FOR RECORD PURPOSES.
>> YES. STATE THE COMPLETE NAME SLOWLY.
>> MARILYN BURGESS. >> COULD YOU STATE YOUR TITLE,
>> THANK YOU. THIS BOARD IS COMPRISED OF 11 MEMBERS. AND EACH HAS TO DO WITH THEIR ROLE AS ELECTED OFFICIAL OR APPOINTED JUDGE.
AND THAT'S HOW IT'S BEEN FOR QUITE A NUMBER OF YEARS.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CLASSIFY THAT -- CLARIFY THAT FOR THE RECORD. DO WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT BEFORE WE MOVE ON? ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO? WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THIS? THANK YOU.
>> HEARING NO PUBLIC COMMENT, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS? THE MOTION IS APPROVED AND PASSES.
CONGRATULATIONS, SIR. ON TO ITEM NUMBER 8 IN NEW
[C8. Request for Renewal of License]
BUSINESS. REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE.SUNYA CLAIBORNE. REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OF LICENSE.
SUNYA CLAIBORNE. VOIR DIRE INCOMPLETE.
DBA: ALL ABOUT BAIL BONDS NUMBER 2.
313 RANKIN ROAD SUITE B. ORIGINAL DATE 5/8/2018.
EXPIRATION DATE 5/18/2022. PHONE NUMBER (281)784-2474.
FOR A TWO-YEAR LICENSE. MA'AM, COULD YOU PLEASE STATE
YOUR NAME FOR THE BOARD. >> SUNYA CLAIBORNE.
>> AND COULD YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND BEFORE ME.
DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT YOUR TESTIMONY BEFORE THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD TO BE THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE QUESTIONS BEGINNING
WITH OUR SHERIFF. >> SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ.
THE PROPERTY WAS INSPECTED. ALL FILES INSPECTD WERE IN COMPLIANCE. THIS IS A CASH LICENSE.
SHE CURRENTLY HAS REAL ESTATE AND CASH AS COLLATERAL WITH HARRIS COUNTY, TOTAL VALUE OF APPROXIMATELY $131,000.
THE BONDING LICENSE IS IN RATIO. WE KNOW OF NO PAST-DUE UNPAID JUDGMENTS OWED TO HARRIS COUNTY AS OF APRIL 12TH, 2022.
THE APPLICATION IS COMPLETE. AND WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS ON
THIS APPLICATION. >> THANK YOU.
WE MOVE ON TO OUR TREASURER, MR. OSBORNE.
>> NO QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE MARSHALL, NO QUESTIONS.
>> I HAVE NO ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS.
>> RODRIGUEZ, NO QUESTIONS. >> JUDGE BALDWIN, NO QUESTION.
>> KATHRYN KASE, NO QUESTIONS. >> TROY MCKINNEY, NO QUESTIONS.
>> MARILYN BURGESS, NO QUESTIONS.
>> DO WE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? HEARING NONE, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> THIS IS MICHAEL. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
THE RENEWAL. >> JUDGE MARTIN, I SECOND.
>> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SIGNIFY BY
>> ANY OPPOSED? ANY ABSTENTIONS OR PUBLIC COMMENT? THE MOTION IS APPROVED.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE MOVE ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER
[C9. Notice made by American Surety Company, agent: Vanessa Failla, dba: International Bonding Co. II, license no. 74616 to move the primary office to a new location:]
[01:00:04]
9, UNDER NEW BUSINESS. NOTICE MADE BY AMERICAN SURETY COMPANY AGENT VANESSA FAILLA, DBAINTERNATIONAL BONDING COMPANY II, LICENSE NUMBER 74616 TO MOVE THE PRIMARY OFFICE TO A NEW LOCATION. AND THE NOTICE IS 1,001 NORTH SAN JACINTO STREET. I BELIEVE THERE IS NOT A VOTE NECESSARY ON THIS ITEM. DO WE HAVE ANY DISCUSSION FROM ANYONE ON THIS ITEM? THANK YOU.REMAINING WE HAVE ITEMS 10, 11, AND 12.
AND OLD BUSINESS NUMBER 1. >> CAN I HAVE A POINT OF CLARIFICATION BEFORE WE GET STARTED ON 10, 11 AND 12.
I SUBMITTED INFORMATION ASKING THAT I GUESS IT'S -- NOW IT'S CALLED OLD BUSINESS BE PUT BACK ON THE AGENDA, MAKING IT NEW BUSINESS WOULD BE WHAT I WAS ASSUMING.
BUT WE'RE GOING -- BECAUSE THESE TWO -- 10 AND 11 AND I PRESUME 12 GO RIGHT INTO OLD BUSINESS. HOWEVER, I THINK FROM MY REQUEST DATED MARCH 23RD, THAT IT SHOULD BE THE OLD BUSINESS AND
THEN TAKEN UP WITH THESE. >> YES.
IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THE ORDER THAT THE AGENDA WAS PUT TOGETHER, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. DO WE HAVE ANY FEEDBACK FOR THE
JUDJUDGE -- FOR THE JUDGE IN >> YOU CAN TAKE THE AGENDA IN
>> BECAUSE MY ITEM REQUEST WAS JUST TO HAVE IT CONSIDERED, DISCUSSED AND ACTED ON. AND ITEM 10, 11 IS ASKING FOR AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF TIME, WHICH I ASSUME THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY -- I MEAN, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD ALREADY STATED THAT WE HAD
THE AUTHORITY TO DO. >> BUT ONE MOMENT.
COULD YOU PLEASE CLARIFY. YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT AN ADDITIONAL TIME. COULD YOU REPEAT THAT?
>> THAT'S WHAT THESE TWO ARE ASKING POP 10 AND 11 ARE ASKING
FOR AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION. >> OKAY.
>> WHICH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS NOT HERE, WHICH I'M ASSUMING MEANS WE'LL TAKE TIME TO GET. BUT WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED IT AND HASHED IT OVER. AND I WAS ALLOWED TO HAVE IT BACK ON THE AGENDA, NOT AS OLD BUSINESS I DIDN'T THINK, BUT AS
>> YES, SIR. >> I THINK JUDGE MARSHALL'S OFFICE, THE ONE SHE'S PREFERENCING THAT WASN'T LAST TIME, BUT COMING UP AGAIN AT HER REQUEST IS ITEM 12, IT WAS THE ORDER IT WAS PLACED. WE ASKED TWO OTHER ADDITIONAL ITEMS, WHICH WOULD BE ITEMS 10 AND 11.
>> I UNDERSTAND. >> IT DOES INCLUDE -- YOUR ITEM AND THEN THE OTHER TWO PREVIOUS ITEMS.
THEY'RE JUST IN THAT ORDER. >> OKAY.
ITEM 12. CLARIFICATION THAT I DIDN'T ASK FOR LEGAL ADVICE REGARDING THE ISSUE.
THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT
[C11. Request that the Harris County Attorney seek an opinion from the Texas Attorney General’s Office clarifying the Bail Bond Board’s authority, if any, to regulate the terms of agreements entered into by bonding companies conducting business in Harris County.]
QUESTION. IT DOES INFORM US AS TO WHAT'S DUE NEXT. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11 ASK. REQUEST THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY SEEK AN OPINION FROM THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN HARRIS COUNTY, AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11 WILL BE OPEN FOR DISCUSSON AT THIS TIME. WOULD YOU LIKE TO START, THESHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> I THINK WE HAVE ITEM 10 AS WELL. ARE WE GOING STRAIGHT TO 11?
>> POINT OF ORDER. WHY ARE WE SKIPPING 10, GOING
OUT OF ORDER? >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.
FOR THE INTEREST OF TIME, WE'LL GO TO 11.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS AT THIS TIME OR RESERVE YOUR TIME
FOR A LITTLE LATER. >> I DECIDED TO.
>> OKAY. SHE CAN TAKE IT IN ANY ORDER SHE
WANTS TO? >> GO AHEAD, MR. GARZA, REGARDING ITEM NUMBER 11. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS AT THIS
TIME? >> I THINK IF I LOOK AT 11, ARE WE SKIPPING 10 BECAUSE IT ENCOMPASSES LIKE 11?
TOGETHER? >> JUDGE MARTIN, I WAS THE ONE
THAT PUT 11 ON THE AGENDA. >> I PUT 10 ON.
>> I BELIEVE YOU WERE SUGGESTING WE ASK IT FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE, SINCE THE D.A. HAS A REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS BOARD.
IT SEEMED MORE APPROPRIATE TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEEK OUT THE A.G. OPINION. WHICH IS WHY I WORDED IT AS SUCH. I WAS A LITTLE BROADER AND I'D LIKE TO GUIDANCE ON WHAT THE BOARD'S AUTHORITY IS, IF AT ALL
[01:05:04]
TO REGULATE THE MINUTIA OF THE CONTRACT BETWEEN BONDSMAN AND THEIR CLIENTS, VERSUS JUST THE 10% ISSUE.>> RIGHT. >> SO IT JUST MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT -- IT'S DIFFERENT IN SMALL WAYS TO THINK THAT MAYBE MORE SIGNIFICANT. I WOULD RATHER HAVE OUR COUNSEL, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SEEK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION, VERSUS SOMEBODY WHO IS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD.
>> THERE ARE MANY REASONS TO GO AHEAD -- GO FORWARD WITH OUR AGENDA. WE HAVE NOT MADE AM HABIT, PARTICULARLY TO DATE OR IN THE PAST, TO BE SKIPPING BACK AND FORTH. BUT I THANK EVERYONE FOR KEEPING ORDER SO FAR. I'M ENCOURAGED TO THAT.
WE'RE ABLE TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THE BOARD, IN ORDER TO BE CLEAR IN WHAT WE'RE DOING AND WHAT AGENDA ITEM WE'RE ADDRESSING.
AT THIS TIME WE ARE ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11.
THE D.A. IS I BELIEVE AT A PERSONAL LOCATION.
SHE'S AT A FUNERAL. AND I DIDN'T WANT TO ELABORATE IN DETAIL AS FAR AS WHERE PEOPLE ARE OR WHY.
I PERSONALLY -- I FOUND A SCREW IN MY TIRE, FOR WHATEVER REASON, AND SO I DON'T WANT TO GO INTO DETAIL NECESSARILY AS TO PERHAPS WHY. BUT WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE ON WITH AGENDA NUMBER 11.
NEXT IS JUDGE ELAINE MARSHALL, IF SHE HAS ANY COMMENTS.
>> I'M THOROUGHLY CONFUSED NOW. AM I COMMENTING ON 10 AND 11 OR
>> SO MY -- I GUESS MY REQUEST TO HAVE IT PUT BACK ON AND VOTED ON IS ENCOMPASSED IN NUMBER 11. BECAUSE IF NUMBER 11 PASSES, THEN MINE IS NULL AND VOID. OR ARE WE GOING TO STILL VOTE AND STILL GET AN A.G. OPINION AFTERWARDS, TO SEE IF THIS VOTE?
IS THAT HOW YOU SEE IT. >> THAT'S AN EXCELLENT QUESTION.
>> IS THAT HOW PEOPLE SEE IT. >> JUST ONE MOMENT.
THE BEAUTY OF THE BOARD IS THIS IS NOT A ONE-MAN OPERATION OR ONE-WOMAN OPERATION. THERE ARE 11 MEMBERS FORMED TO MAKE OUR DECISIONS. OFTEN TIMES AS CHAIR STRICKLAND WOULD SAY, IT'S THE PLEASURE OF THE BOARD THE WAY THINGS PROCEED. AND WE HAVE RULES IN ORDER TO SEE WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO AND WHEN.
GENTLEMAN, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM.
>> MAY I? >> I DON'T WANT TO INTERRUPT
YOU. >> YES, JUDGE, OF COURSE.
>> I KNOW THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA IN MARCH.
-- AND IN MANY OUR OFFICE FROM THE CITY ASKED ABOUT THE LEGALITIES OF -- EVEN BEFORE THE VOTE AND THE HEARING LAST TIME.
THE LEGALITIES OF DOING THIS. AND WE GOT NO RESPONSE TO THAT.
THEN WE HAVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYING IT'S -- YOU KNOW, THE LEGALITIES OF IT ARE OKAY. THAT WE COULD DO THAT.
AND MY QUESTION IS -- WAS AND STILL IS DOES 11 HAVE ANY EFFECT OF US VOTING. IF WE VOTE AND APPROVE 12 AND 13. I GUESS NOW IT'S 12, WILL YOU
STILL FORWARD AN A.G. OPINION? >> THE SHORT ANSWER IS WE'RE GOING TO CONSIDER, JUST LIKE CASES.
JUST LIKE CASES AND BONDS, WE'RE NOT HERE TO SET BONDS.
WE'RE A BAIL BOND BOARD. AND WE TAKE EACH AGENDA ITEM ON ITS OWN MERITS, JUDGE. AND THAT'S MY VIEW OF HOW WE DO.
WE'RE CURRENTLY ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11.
IF I HEAR YOUR QUESTION, JUDGE, YOU HAVE SO MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, I SO APPRECIATE YOUR INFORMED QUESTIONS. IT REALLY HELPS US OUT.
HOW I HEAR THE QUESTION IS DO 10, 11, 12 AND 1 CANCEL EACH OTHER OUT IN SOME WAY, ACCORDING TO THE READING.
>> LET ME BRIEFLY ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.
>> I'M WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> JONATHAN BOND. >> I UNDERSTAND YOUR QUESTION BEING IF THERE'S A REQUEST TO EITHER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ORB THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEEK AN A.G. OPINION ON THESE TWO ISSUES, CAN THE BOARD THEN VOTE ON ITEM NUMBER 12.
>> THAT WASN'T THE QUESTION. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND RESPOND AT
YOUR PLEASURE. >> THAT WAS ABSOLUTELY THE QUESTION. THERE'S SO MANY OTHER REMEDIES THAT THEY HAVE THAT THEY COULD HAVE THE BAIL BOND OR HOWEVER IT
GOES TO RECOMMEND -- RECTIFY IT. >> THE ANSWER IS NO, YOU CAN VOTE ON ALL THREE ITEMS. AND ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
A REQUEST TO EITHER THE D.A. OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS NOT BINDING ON EITHER THE D.A. OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WHICH RETAINS THE DISCRETION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY MAKE THE
[01:10:02]
REQUEST OF THE A.G. YOU MAY VOTE ON ALL THREE ITEMS TODAY. YOU MAY APPROVE ALL THREE ITEMS TODAY. THEY DO NOT CANCEL.>> THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING THE QUESTION AND MY INTERPRETATION OF THE JUDGE'S QUESTION. YES, SIR.
>> ONE MOMENT. YOU WILL BE RECOGNIZED SHORTLY.
WE'RE GOING -- WE'LL TAKE A MOMENT.
BACK IN COLLEGE, EVERYBODY. >> OH, MY GOSH, JUDGE.
>> WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE THAT WANT COULD BE -- TO BE
HEARD. >> FOR A CLARIFICATION, WE'RE GOING TO GET TO THE PUBLIC COMMENT IN A MINUTE.
OKAY. THE CHAIR WILL RECOGNIZE YOU IN JUST A MOMENT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
IN COLLEGE, WE WOULD PASS AROUND A SPIRIT STICK DURING THE BAND AND IT'S JUST ONE AT A TIME. IT'S KIND OF HOW WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND KEEP ORDER.
WE'RE NOT RECOGNIZING ANYTHING AT THIS TIME.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO MR. GUTIERREZ.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.
>> WE CONTINUE TO HEAR OUTBURSTS, I'LL HAVE TO ADDRESS
THAT. >> I'LL KEEP MY COMMENTS BRIEF.
I THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING PATIENT.
THIS IS MAYBE A LITTLE BIT OF A FRAUGHT PROCESS.
TRYING TO BRING SOME CLARITY AND I WANT TO HEAR FROM EVERYBODY WHO IS HERE. PERSONALLY.
TO COMMENT ON ITEMS 10 AND 11, I THINK THEY DO GO HAND-IN-HAND.
THE COUNY ATTORNEY IS RIGHT. 9 ELECTED OFFICIAL WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO SEEK THE OPINION OR NOT.
I DO AGREE WITH JUDGE MARTIN. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THE LEGAL ADVISER TO THE BOARD. 9 COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS REQUESTED ONE OR MORE IN PREVIOUS YEARS. THE MAIN POINT TO 346 SIZE, TO ECHO NO MATTER HOW THE VOTE TURNS OUT ON 10 OR 11 OR HAVE A MOTION ON 10 AND 11, NOTHING IS GOING TO PREVENT US FROM CONSIDERING ITEM NUMBER 12. IT'S CERTAINLY OUR INTENT TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN TODAY AS WELL. SO NO MATTER HOW THE DISCUSSION ON 10 OR 11 TURNS OUT, WE DEFINITELY WANT TO GET TO NUMBER 12, HAVE A VOTE ON NUMBER 12 WITH FULL AIRING OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
SO THAT'S HOW I FEEL ABOUT ALL THREE OF THOSE TICKETS TOGETHER.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. JUDGE MARTIN, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? HAVE ANY "?
CONSOLIDATED. >> JUDGE BALDWIN?
>> MISS KATHRYN KASE. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> COUNSEL MCKINNEY. >> NO QUESTIONS.
>> I BELIEVE AT THE LAST MEETING OF THIS TOPIC, DIDN'T THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAY HE WOULD NOT DO THIS?
>> WELL, I THINK WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THINGS ONE AT A TIME.
>> BUT WE'RE GOING TO ASK HIM TO DO SOMETHING --
>> THAT WAS NOT DONE ON THE RECORD OR PUBLICLY.
I BELIEVE THAT WE DESERVE A RESPONSE PUBLICLY OF A REFUSAL
TO SEEK AN A.G. OPINION. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFICATION.
>> THANK YOU, MISS BURGESS AND JUDGE HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED.
THANK YOU FOR THAT. NOW WE HAVE -- I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RE-READ THE AGENDA ITEM.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11. SIR, I'LL GIVE YOU A WARNING.
LET'S NOT BE DISRUPTIVE. THANK YOU SO MUCH I APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE. WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO A PUBLIC COMMENT. ALL IN ITS PROPER ORDER.
IF EVERYONE COULD BE CONSIDERATE OF EACH OTHER AND WE WILL MOST CERTAINLY KEEP MOVING THROUGH THE AGENDA.
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11. IT'S A FOUR-LINE PARAGRAPH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. IT SHOULDN'T TAKE THAT LONG.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PATIENCE.
REQUEST THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY SEEK AN OPINION FROM THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE CLARIFYING THE BAIL BOND BOARD'S AUTHORITY, IF ANY, TO REGULATE THE TERMS OF AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO BY BONDING COMPANIES CONDUCTING BUSINESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION, AFTER WE GIVE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
I BELIEVE THIS GENTLEMAN IN THE FIRST ROW.
ARE YOU READY, SIR, TO MAKE YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT REGARDING THIS AGENDA ITEM? IF SO, YOU MAY STAND.
>> YES. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS PART OF THE AGENDA. MAKING EXCUSES ABOUT A NAIL IN THE TIRE. WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB, GUYS. PLAYING CHICKEN HERE.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU, SIR, FOR YOUR COMMENT. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANY PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM BEFORE I MOVE ON? THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM FIELD, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY AT THIS TIME? WE RECOGNIZE YOU, SIR.
HERE IS WE CAN'T SET -- YOU'RE SITTING IN FRONT OF FAMILIES WHO ARE SUFFERING BECAUSE OF -- BECAUSE OF A LOT OF THINGS HAPPENING. WE KNOW THIS IS NOT A FIX-ALL TO
[01:15:03]
THE PROBLEMS. WE'RE HERE BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WANTS THERE TO BE A CHANGE. IF YOU IGNORE THEM, YOU'RE IGNORING WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS.I WANT EVERYBODY -- WHEN YOU MAKE ANY VOTE ON THE DECISION OF WHETHER YOU WANT TO GET AN ATTORNEY, YOU WANT TO FURTHER THIS BY HAVING THE ATTORNEY GENERAL -- WE ALREADY KNOW WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM BAROMETRIC PRESSURE HIS POCKETS ARE.
WHERE HE'S LOOKING AT THOSE POCKETS.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO MAKE THESE FAMILIES WAIT LONGER, THEN YOU'RE ONLY DOING A JUDGMENT TO YOURSELF AND TO THESE FAMILIES.
I REALLY WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE, ASKING FOR ANYTHING ELSE.
WE CAN HAVE THE ANSWER HERE AND HAVE REAL LEADERSHIP TO STAND UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY, NOT JUST FOR --
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY OR PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS AGENDA ITEM? SIR, WE RECOGNIZE YOU FIRST.
AND FOR ME THEY'RE JUST THE ONES MAKING OUT RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE. AND WE'RE NOT BEING PROTECTED.
YOU GET THE BOND. YOU SELL IT.
AND TAKING THEM OUT. AND THEN THEY GO BACK AGAIN.
WE'RE HERE TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
WE ARE THE PEOPLE. WE'RE THE ONES GETTING KILLED OUT THERE. OUR KIDS ARE GETTING KILLED.
AND YOU STILL ARE GIVING OUT MORE LICENSES AND RENEWAL LICENSES. THEY'RE LIKE VULTURES.
THEY CAN'T WAIT FOR SOMEBODY TO GET KILLED, SO THEY CAN GET A BOND. I MEAN, I HAD TO BAIL OUT MY OWN KID WITHOUT ANY MONEY. BUT THE BAIL BOND THEY MAKE MONEY. WE'RE TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF EVERYBODY. MY DAUGHTER GOT KILLED.
THEIR DAUGHTER GOT KILLED. WE WANT THIS PROBLEM FIXED.
AND YOU ARE THE ONLY ONES WHO CAN FIX IT.
NOW IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT, GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY WHO CAN.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON.
LADY WHO WAS NEXT. >> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THAT LAST SESSION LAST MONTH, MANY PEOPLE WALKED AWAY BEFORE WE WERE DONE VOTING. THEY WEREN'T PRESENT.
PLEASE DON'T DO THAT. IT WAS NOTICED THAT YOU HAD LEFT BEFORE YOU COULD EVEN HEAR US. I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO FIGURE OUT IF THIS BOARD CAN PUSH THIS FORWARD AND IT WILL BE ENFORCEABLE THROUGH HERE. NOW IF THAT'S THE CASE, WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT WHO IT IS THAT WE CAN GO BEFORE TO PUSH THIS FORWARD. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S LEGALITIES THAT WE HAVE TO WORK OUT. BUT WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR TODAY IS IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE WANT, YES.
LET'S LET LEGAL HANDLE THIS. I FORESEE THAT YOU WILL WILL BE SUING TO FIGURE THAT OUT. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT.
BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE AS LEGAL AS POSSIBLE, SO IT CAN'T BE ENFORCEABLE. ANOTHER ISSUE IS NO TRANSPARENCY IN CONTRACTS WITH PEOPLE, YOUR CLIENTS.
THERE NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENCY OF TRANSACTIONS.
AND WHAT IS BEING PAID BEFORE THE BOND.
SO WHEN WILL A BOND IS ISSUED FOR $100,000, WE ASSUME THAT THE PERSON IS GOING TO PAY $10,000, 10% THRESHOLD.
THAT'S NOT THE CASE. AS WE HEARD, SOME PEOPLE ARE SAY NOTHING MONEY DOWN AND JUST GOING STRAIGHT INTO A PAYMENT PLAN. SO THAT NEEDS TO BE TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC. VICTIMS DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING WHEN THEIR MURDERERS GET OUT OF JAIL.
THAT DOESN'T AFFECT NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.
VIOLENT OFFENDERS RECEIVE THE 10% TO AFFECT THEM.
NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS RECEIVE SMALL BONDS.
10% IS ON THEM WOULD NOT AFFECT THEM.
>> HANG ON. THAT YOUNG LADY NEEDS TO STATE
HER NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> I'M APRIL.
>> OKAY. >> AND THE REMAINING COMMENTS WILL BE RELEVANT TO THIS AGENDA ITEM, REGARDING THE A.G.
YES, SIR. >> I WISH I WOULD HAVE SAID EARLIER. IF MAYBE YOU COULD GO TO THE
MICROPHONE. >> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND RECOGNIZE THEM. OH, THAT'S RIGHT.
>> IF THE SPEAKERS WANT TO GO TO THE MICROPHONE TO BE HEARD.
>> I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND CLARIFY THAT WE'RE DONE WITH OUR RENEWALS AND NEW LICENSES. SO IT WAS THE INTENTION TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE FORWARD TO THE MICROPHONE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT POLITE REMINDER.
>> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I DO WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS.
ROBERT'S RULES OF LAW. IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE
[01:20:03]
AGENDA ITEM, SOMEONE NEEDS TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE AGENDA ITEMS AND THEN A SECOND AND THEN THE ELECTED BODY DETERMINE MR. THEY'RE GOING TO SUSPEND THE ORDER OF THE AGENDAITEMS. >> SIR, MY NAME IS KATHRYN KASE.
YOU HAVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HERE.
AND -- >> THE ATTORNEY CAN ADDRESS THAT
WE'RE HERE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT. AND WE ALSO NEED TO KNOW YOUR NAME. I ASSURE YOU THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS BEEN HERE AND ADVISES US AS TO PROCEDURE.
AND IS WILLING TO DO IT. >> JUST A POINT OF
CLARIFICATION. >> ONE MOMENT, SIR.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTION. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH YOUR PUBLIC
COMMENT IN A MOMENT. >> JUST AS A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. THIS BOARD HAS NOT ADOPTED
ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER. >> THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. THAT CLARIFIES FOR US.
BUT THE OTHER ISSUE IS PLEASE LET'S EXPEDITE THE AGENDA.
BUS THE FAMILIES HERE ARE WAITING FOR ONE PARTICULAR AGENDA ITEM. AND I'M SURE ALL OF YOU ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT. THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE.
SO PLEASE, WITHIN GOODWILL, PLEASE DO WHAT YOU CAN TO EXPEDITE THE AGENDA ITEM. MY NAME IS DR. LIDA.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
ONCE WE'RE DOING WITH THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS ITEM, WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO THE ITEM ITSELF.
DO YOU RESERVE YOUR TIME OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK AT THIS
I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON 12. >> IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE DO. WELL, ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO GO
AHEAD -- >> I WANT TO EMPHASIZE -- ASKING FOR AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION IS JUST AN OPINION.
IT HAS NO AUTHORITY OF LAW. YOU HAVE THE RULE-MAKING.
YOU DO HAVE YOUR COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ADVISE YOU.
YOU CAN GO WITH YOUR RULE MAKING.
IT MAY BE CONTESTED BY THE INDUSTRY IN COURT.
BUT THE COURT THINK CITIZENS AND FAMILIES OF VICTIMS THINK THIS IS A DELAY OR A DIVERSION. BEFORE YOU GET TO RULE MAKING IN 12. BUT HAVING WORKED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR YEARS IT'S JUST AN OPINION, IT'S AN VOIR DIRE OPINION AT BEST. IT DOESN'T HAVE MUCH WEIGHT TO AFFECT THE DECISION MAKING TODAY.
>> I'M AWARE OF THE VALUE WHEN I PUT THIS ISSUE ON THE AGENDA.
I WAS VERY CLEAR ON THAT. I SIMPLY STATED I WANTED TO HAVE A REQUEST ON THE AGENDA FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ASK US.
THIS IS NOT DELAYING ANYTHING. THIS NO WAY, SHAPE OR FORM CHANGES THE FACT THAT YOU SENATOR WHITMIRE EXPLICITLY HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO FIX THIS ISSUE FOR THESE PEOPLE.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THE GENERAL IS JUST ANOTHER PERSON'S OPINION
WITH A FANCY TITLE. >> I'M AWARE.
I'M AWARE HOW THAT LAW WORKS, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? [APPLAUSE]
WE'LL RECOGNIZE YOU IN JUST A MOMENT.
COMMISSIONER. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
>> YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >> FOR SENATOR WHITE MIRE.
>> HE'S GOING TO ALSO SPEAK LATER, IF YOU WANT TO WAIT.
>> I JUST WANT TO ASK YOU, IF YOU WOULD ADVISE THESE PEOPLE AND INFORM THEM ABOUT SENATE BILL 6 TO TURN CRIME AROUND TONIGHT. TODAY, SIR.
TODAY. WE'RE SITTING HERE MESSING WITH 10%. YOU HAVE SENATE BILL 6 WHICH GIVES DISCRETION BACK TO THE JUDGES WHO DECIDE WHO TO HOLD I.
THAT'S YOUR GUY RIGHT THERE. THANK YOU, SIR.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR QUESTION. >> FIRST OF ALL -- FIRST OF ALL -- THE SENATE -- [APPLAUSE] DENYING CASH BONDS. AND DOING A TOTAL RISK ASSESSMENT. AND TAKING OUT OF THE CONSTITUTION EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO A BOND.
SO IF YOU WANT TO START MISREPRESENTING THE FACTS, YOU'RE WELCOME TO DO SO. BUT THE FACTS ARE THE FACTS.
THE SENATE DID THEIR WORK. NEXT SESSION WE WILL WORK WITH THE HOUSE AND WE'LL DO A COMPLETE BAIL BOND REFORM.
THAT'S NOT WHAT IS BEFORE US TODAY.
A VERY SIMPLE RULE MAKING TO FIX THE 10% THRESHOLD.
AND STOP THE FINANCING OF BAIL BONDS.
>> YOU'RE MISLEADING PEOPLE. WHEN THEY START --
I'M NOT HOLLERING AT YOU, SIR. >> ALL RIGHT.
OKAY, EVERYONE. >> I'LL SEE YOU WHEN NUMBER 12 COMES UP.
>> I'M NOT THE ONLY BOARD MEMBER.
>> IT SEEMS TO ME ITEMS 10 AND 12 ARE PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD.
IF SOMEBODY WANTS AN OPINION FROM ONE OF THESE ENTITIES, THEY CAN REQUEST, YOU KNOW, VOTE FOR IT.
IF NOT, WE MOVE ON TO 12. WE'RE READY TO VOTE.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[APPLAUSE] >> CAN I SAY SOMETHING? AND FOR THE RECORD, I AGREE THAT THE THING WE'RE HERE FOR IS FOR THIS AGENDA ITEM TODAY. NOT SENATE BILL 6, NOT ANYTHING ELSE BUT -- NOT ANYTHING ELSE BUT THE 10% VOTE.
I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO STAY FOCUSED ON.
[01:25:01]
PART OF THE REASON THAT IT DIDN'T GET VOTED ON LAST TIME IS BECAUSE I HAVE 86-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WHO JUST COMPLETELY BECAME ILL. AND I COULD NOT STAY.HOWEVER, I THINK WE SHOULD STOP ALL OF THE BACK AND FORTH.
AND JUST TAKE A VOTE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, JUDGE.
AT THIS TIME ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, THE CHAIR WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION REGARDING 11. THE REQUEST FOR THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S SEEK AN OPINION FROM THE A.G.
CLARIFYING THE BAIL BOND BOARD AUTHORITY, IF ANY, TO REGULATE THE TERMS OF AGREEMENTS ENTERED INTO BY BONDING COMPANIES CONDUCTING BUSINESS UNTIL HARRIS COUNTY.
>> JUDGE MARTIN, I MAKE THE MOTION.
>> JUDGE BALDWIN, I'LL SECOND. >> OKAY.
I RECOGNIZE JUDGE BALDWIN SECONDS THE MOTION.
OKAY. WE'VE HAD PUBLIC COMMENT.
IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE? THANK YOU. REGARDING THIS REQUEST FOR AN A.G. OPINION, PERTAINING TO THIS ITEM THAT IS NOTICED, THE CHAIR AT THIS TIME, ACTING CHAIR, MYSELF, WE CALL A VOTE.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THIS AGENDA ITEM OF OUR BOARD, REQUESTING AN A.G. ITEM, SIGNIFY BY SAYING AYE?
YES, SIR. >> WE NEED AN AUDIO JUDGE.
WE HAVE FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE. >> OF COURSE.
SO DO WE HAVE ANY ABSTENTIONS AT ALL AT THIS TIME? OKAY. THANK YOU.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND TAKE A COUNT.
A ROLL CALL, IF YOU WILL. FOR THE AYES, FOR REQUESTING AN A.G. OPINION BY THE ATTORNEY -- EXCUSE ME.
WE'RE REQUESTING HIM -- IT'S A MOTION TO REQUEST AN A.G.
STRIKE THAT. EVERYBODY, THERE'S TWO AGENDA ITEMS THAT ARE SIMILAR IN NATURE.
>> WE'VE ALREADY READ IT. GENTLEMAN NEED TO VOTE AND SHOW
HANDS. >> WE'RE LOOKING TO SEE IF WE'RE GOING TO ASK OUR COUNTY ATTORNY TO ASK AN A.G. OPINION ON THE ITEM. AND ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF REQUESTING AN A.G. OPINION, YOU MAY RAISE YOUR HANDS, PLEASE, SO THERE WILL BE A COUNT. OKAY.
>> JUDGE, WE NEED AUDIO FOR THIS, PLEASE.
>> GO AHEAD AND SAY YOUR NAME, ONE AT A TIME.
>> MARIO GARZA, AYE. >> MICHAEL UTERA AYE.
>> JUDGE AMY MARTIN. >> JUDGE BALDWIN, AYE.
>> YOU HAVE THE COUNT. >> AND ALL THOSE OPPOSED.
>> DYLAN OSBORNE, COUNTY TREASURER, NO.
>> ELAINE MARSHALL, NO. >> KATHRYN KASE, NO.
>> DISTRICT COURT MARILYN BURGESS, NO.
>> THANK YOU. IT SEEMS THAT WE HAVE A TIE.
SO AT THIS TIME I WILL ANNOUNCE MY VOTE.
I AM NOT ABSTAINING ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THE VERY FABRIC OF OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. AND I'LL NOTE ONE THING IS THAT UNDER AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 11, IT'S MY BELIEF AND I SEE SOME PEOPLE ARE GIGGLING. I REALLY THINK THIS IS AN EXTREMELY SERIOUS MATTER, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE INVOLVING SERIOUS CRIMES AND ANY DISCUSSION OF BONDING AND FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT AGENDA ITEM 11 HURTS ANYONE. BECAUSE ASKING FOR AN OPINION IS GOING TO COME DOWN AT A CERTAIN TIME.
NOT ONLY DOES IT NOT HURT ANYONE, BUT IT MIGHT INFORM US, WE THE PEOPLE, AS TO HOW OUR RIGHTS WORK IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. IF AT THE -- AT THE END OF THE DAY, OUR CONSEQUENCES WILL BE SUFFERED BY OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND I URGE EVERYONE -- WE'VE BEEN STUCK TOGETHER THROUGH HARVEY, WE'VE STUCK TOGETHER THROUGH THE VIRUS. LET'S KEEP THAT SENTIMENT AND WHATEVER NEGATIVITY YOU SEE, DON'T FOCUS ON THAT.
FOCUS ON THE TRUTH, FOCUS ON WHAM YOU BELIEVE TO BE JUSTICE.
AND RESPECTING EACH OTHER. THAT BEING SAID, IT'S AN AYE.
WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND REQUEST THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY REQUEST AN A.G. OPINION. AND IT'S A REASONABLE THAT THE REQUEST WILL BE RECEIVED BY HIM. HE CAN GO AHEAD AND GIVE US A RESPONSE AT A LATER TIME, PERHAPS IN WRITING.
WE WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE HIS RESPONSE TO OUR HUMBLE REQUEST.
[C10. Request for the Harris County District Attorney's office to request a Texas Attorney General’s Opinion regarding the authority of the Harris County Bail Bond Board to enact a local rule requiring that bonding companies collect a minimum percentage of bail before posting a surety bond.]
MOVING ON WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10 AND REMAIN IN ORDER FOR THE REST OF OUR AGENDA.AND I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU BEING HERE.
>> EXCUSE ME, JUDGE. POINT OF ORDER.
>> YOU'RE NOT RECOGNIZED. ONE MOMENT.
WE HAVE A COMMENT FIRST BY TREASURER OSBORNE AND MISS KASE.
[01:30:11]
>> WE'RE ON ITEM NUMBER 10 NOW. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE
QUESTION ON 10. >> IT'S THE SAME THING.
>> ONE MOMENT. WE'RE GOING TO DO ONE AT A TIME.
YOU WANTED TO CALL THE QUESTION. YOU HAD A QUICK COMMENT?
>> I MOVE THAT WE INSTALL TROY MCKINNEY IMMEDIATELY.
>> I HAVE A THIRD COMMENT. >> I SECOND IT.
>> ONE MOMENT. >> WHAT WAS YOUR COMMENT, JUDGE?
>> NO, I WAS GOING TO SAY GIVEN THE TENOR OF THE SITUATION AND WE HAVE TAKEN STEPS FORWARD AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO DEAL WITH TODAY AND MOVING FORWARD, PERHAPS IT WOULD BE EXPEDIENT TO HAVE MR. MCKINNEY GO AHEAD AND TAKE OVER THOSE DUTIES, SINCE HE HAS DONE SO IN THE PAST.
HE WOULD BE -- >> AT THIS TIME ARE YOU READY TO
DO THAT? >> I'M WILLING TO DO WHATEVER
THE BOARD'S PLEASURE IS? >> OKAY.
WHAT WE CAN DO IS -- WE CAN QUICKLY MOVE FROM 10 AND THEN TO 12. VOTE.
HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO. I DON'T EXPECT US TO TAKE VERY LONG, SINCE TREASURER OSBORNE IS READY TO CALL THE QUESTION ON
10. >> I CALL THE QUESTION ON THE
>> A MOTION AND SECOND. >> A VOTE IS NOT NECESSARY, BECAUSE I'M GOING TO GO AHEAD AND YIELD TO COUNSEL MCKINNEY
AT THIS TIME. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO
APPROVE 10? >> TO APPROVE ITEM 10.
A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 10. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> NO. >> I CALL THE QUESTION.
>> I'LL SECOND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM 10, TO REQUEST THE A.G.'S OPINION SAY AYE?
LET'S TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 10. >> COULD YOU READ IT, FIRST.
EQUIP FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO REQUEST THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION REGARDING THE AUTHORITY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD.
WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE.
OKAY. >> WE NEED NAMES FOR THE RECORD,
>> ZILLION ANYBODY AB -- DID ANYBODY ABSTAIN?
>> I ABSTAINED. >> JUDGE GONZALEZ ABSTAINED.
RODRIGUEZ. EVERYBODY ELSE VOTED NAY.
[C12. Request for discussion and potential action regarding bail bond surety premiums and a requirement that bonding companies collect a minimum percentage of bail before posting a surety bond. Consider meeting in an executive session for legal advice regarding this issue.]
WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO ITEM 12. ITEM 12.REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POTENTIAL ACTION REGARDING BAIL BOND SURETY PREMIUMS. CONSIDER MEETING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR LEGAL ADVICE, IF WE NEED TO DO SO.
THERE IS A DOCUMENT THAT HAS BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE BAIL BOND BOARD THAT HAS A DRAFT PROPOSAL. IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST MEETING.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS ITEM FROM THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT ALREADY SPOKEN ON THIS ISSUE.
WE'LL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT AT THIS TIME.
>> CHAIR, POINT OF ORDER. >> YES.
>> IT WOULD JUST BE MY SUGGESTION, SINCE WE HAVE SEVERAL ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE TO CALL THEM FIRST.
THAT IS TRADITIONAL. >> I WILL CERTAINLY DO THAT.
YOU'RE LIMITED TO A TOTAL OF THREE MINUTES.
IF YOU'VE ALREADY SPOKEN ON THIS, EVEN IF YOU ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE IN A PRIOR ISSUE, YOU'LL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SPEAK AGAIN.
ALL RIGHT. WE'VE ALREADY HEARD WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY. ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ISSUE AND WE'LL START WITH PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
SENATOR WHITMIRE. , YOU HAVE THE FLOOR, SIR.
>> THANK YOU. JOHN WHITMIRE, STATE IN SENATOR AND CHAIRMAN IN THE STATE SENATE.
OFTEN I'VE SAID THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS A SYSTEM.
AND ANY COMPONENT OR ELEMENT OF IT IS THAT IS BROKEN, STOPS THE ENTIRE SYSTEM FROM WORKING AS IT SHOULD.
I THINK WE CAN ALL -- CERTAINLY I SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND MANY CONSTITUENTS, THE BAIL BOND SYSTEM IS BROKEN.
I APPEAR AFTER DR. LEADER ASKED ME TO MEET WITH MR. AND MRS. ALVAREZ AND MR. CASTRO, AFTER THE LAST BAIL BOND BOARD MEETING. THEY WERE VERY FRUSTRATED, STRESSED ABOUT WHAT DO WE DO NOW.
I TOLD THEM I WOULD INTRODUCE LEGISLATION NEXT SESSION, FOR A COMPLETE BAIL BOND REFORM, CUTTING A 10% REQUIREMENT AND NOT ALLOWING THE FINANCING OF THAT BOND.
WE ALSO AGREED THAT I WOULD WRITE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU, AS I HAVE DONE AND ASKED YOU TO RECONSIDER THAT PROPOSITION, WHICH I THANK YOU FOR PLACING IT ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
WE'VE HEARD TODAY AND I THINK WE'VE ACTUALLY SEEN HOW BROKEN THE BAIL BOND SYSTEM IS. ONE OF THE AGENTS ACTUALLY
[01:35:02]
COMPARED HER CONSIDERATION OF THE AMOUNT TO CHARGE AND THE FINANCING WITH BUYING A HOME. OBVIOUSLY THE STAKES ARE A LOT HIGHER. IT'S LIFE-AND-DEATH MAT MATTERSN YOU'RE SETTING A BOND RATE. WE STUMBLED A CROSS A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO THERE WAS NOT A 10% REQUIREMENT.THAT THE D.A. AND MAGISTRATES HAD USED FOREVER AS A THRESHOLD IN THE SETTING OF THE AMOUNT OF THE BOND.
THEN WE'VE ALSO STUMBLED ACROSS THAT THERE'S THE FINANCING OF THE BOND. SURELY EVERYONE RECOGNIZES, EITHER IT'S BEFORE THE POSTING OF THE BOND OR AFTER.
IF YOU ALLOW A FINANCING, IT'S ONLY INCENTIVIZING MORE CRIME.
OUR BAIL BOND SYSTEM IS BROKE. BROKEN.
ANY TIME YOU HAVE CAPITAL MURDERS OUT ON A CASH BOND, ANY TIME YOU HAVE SIX -- A REPEAT OFFENDER ON HIS SIXTH AND SEVENTH BOND FOR A VIOLENT ROBBERY OR MURDER.
WE KNOW THE SYSTEM IS NOT INTENDED TO OPERATE THAT WAY.
SO I PERSONALLY AM ASKING YOU TODAY TO TAKE THIS STEP TOWARDS FIXING THE BAIL BOND SYSTEM. I THINK WE NEED TO EMPHASIZE IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE OUR CRIME SURGE THAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.
BUT IT IS A GOOD FIRST STEP TO SOLVE THE BAIL BOND SYSTEM THAT'S BROKEN. AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON TO ADDITIONAL ISSUES LIKE THE BACKLOG OF OUR COURTS, THE COMPUTER GLITCHES AND I COULD GO ON AND ON OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PREVENTING A SAFE HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY FROM GOING FORWARD. SO THANK YOU FOR PLACING IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. I DO HOPE THAT YOU'LL USE YOUR RULE-MAKING AUTHORITY TO BECOME A LOCAL RULE, WHERE THE 10% REQUIREMENT AND NOT ALLOWING THE FINANCING, WHICH INCENTIVIZES ADDITIONAL CRIMES. [BEEPING] THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]
>> SENATOR WHITMIRE, THANK YOU FOR COMING.
WE APPRECIATE IT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAVE
THE FLOOR. >> I'M RODNEY ELLIS.
I WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. YOU OBVIOUSLY DIDN'T ANTICIPATE YOU'D HAVE THIS MUCH INTEREST IN THE BOND VOTE.
CRIME IS UP. AND ALL OF US ARE CONCERNED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY. I THINK THE REAL ISSUE HERE IS MOST PEOPLE, UNLESS YOU GO INTO BUSINESS, THOUGHT THAT THE 10% WAS WHAT WAS NORMALLY DONE. IN FACT, IF I WOULD ASK FOLKS, MOST OF THEM WOULD SAY, THEY THOUGHT THAT WAS THE NORM.
I'LL TELL YOU ANOTHER SCENARIO. I'VE BEEN IN POLITICS 38 YEARS.
I THOUGHT THAT THAT'S HOW IT WORKED.
SO BECAUSE THAT IS THE ANTICIPATION THAT MOST PEOPLE HAVE, I WOULD DARE SAY A GOOD NUMBER OF JUDGES MAKE THAT ASSUMPTION AS WELL. THE JUDGES DESERVE SOME PREDICTABILITY, WHEN THEY'RE MAKING A TOUGH DECISION ON HOW MUCH TO SET THE BOND AT. AND IF THEY KNOW THAT IT'S A SHIFTING SCALE, WHY MAKE A DECISION.
BECAUSE YOU HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA WHAT THE NUMBER WILL ACTUALLY BE. ALSO I WANT TO SAY WITH REGARD TO THE A.G.'S OPINION, REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY ASKS FOR AN A.G.'S OPINION, I CAN ASSURE YOU THE LITTLE I HAVE LEARNED FROM MY YEARS IN POLITICS, OUR FRIENDS IN THE BOND INDUSTRY WILL GET SOME PERSON WHO IS A COMMITTEE CHAIR IN THE TEXAS HOUSE OR THE TEXAS SENATE TO ASK FOR AN OPINION.
AS DEAN WHITMIRE SAYS, WE CALL IT AN OPINION AND NOT A DECISION. BECAUSE IT'S THAT PERSON'S OPINION. AND THEY CAN ALWAYS BE APPEALED.
SO, LOOK, IT'S NOT A PANACEA. IT'S NOT GOING TO SOLVE IT ALL.
IT IS A HELP. THERE'S A LOT MORE THAT WE HAVE TO DO. AND LAST POINT I WANT TO STRESS, EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM IS CONCERNED FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY.
BUT OBVIOUSLY IF YOU'RE RUNNING A BUSINESS, YOUR PRIMARY INTEREST IS IN MAKING MONEY FOR YOUR BUSINESS.
AND A BIG OBSTACLE ON BAIL BONDING REFORM AT THE STATE CAPITOL WOULD BE PEOPLE WHO MAKE A PROFIT ALL FOR THE BUSINESS, WANT TO PROTECT THEIR BUSINESS. LOOK, IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO. IT'S A SIMPLE THING TO DO.
BE A LEADER. I KNOW IT WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME I'M TELLING THE STATE THIS IS HAPPENING.
I CAN ASSURE YOU WHEN THE TWO GREAT LEGISLATORS GO BACK, IT WILL BECOME STATE LAW AND IT WILL CREATE A DOMINO EFFECT.
OTHER BOND BOARDS AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS WILL DO IT AS WELL. THANK YOU.
AND MY COLLEAGUE, FORMER COLLEAGUE IS HERE REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON. THANK YOU.
[APPLAUSE] >> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, THE
FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN.
I HAVE SPENT 20 YEARS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A PROSECUTOR, A FORMER CHIEF HUMAN TRAFFICKING PROSECUTOR AND AS A DEFENSE ATTORNEY. LIKE MANY OF YOU THAT I SEE HERE, WE KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN DECADES OF FAILED INVESTMENT IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE PHYSICAL COURT SYSTEM AND THE HUMAN INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE PEOPLE THAT WORKED IN THIS
[01:40:03]
SYSTEM THAT HAS LED TO THIS MOMENT THAT WITH HARVEY AND COVID, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A CRISIS.IT IS WHY AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE, ALONG WITH UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND VIRTUALLY UNANIMOUS APPROVAL OF THE HOUSE DELEGATION FROM HARRIS COUNTY, WE OFFERED AN ADDITIONAL THREE COURTS TO TRY TO GET THROUGH THE BACKLOG. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT WE COULD DO TO HELP PUBLIC SAFETY TODAY. UNFORTUNATELY GOVERNOR ABBOTT WAS NOT INTERESTED IN THAT OVERWHELMINGLY BIPARTISAN SOLUTION. INSTEAD HE INSISTED ON THE PASSAGE OF SB6. RIFF BEEN THERE ON THE FIGHT OF SB6. I HAVE IT IN MY BINDER.
IT DOES NOT PREVENT PEOPLE FROM GETTING OUT.
TEMPERATURE DOES THE OPPOSITE. TEMPERATURE PUSHES VIOLENT OFFENDERS TO YOUR PROFITABLE INDUSTRY, RATHER THAN PUTTING THE DISCRETION WITH THE JUDGES, IT REQUIRES THAT THE JUDGES NO LONGER HAVE THE DISCRETION. AND IF SOMEBODY COMES BACK AS A REPEAT VIOLENTS OFFENDER, THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID THEY GO TO YOU. AND SO THAT'S WHY RIGHT NOW IN THIS RHETORIC, WHERE PEOPLE COMPLAIN AND SAY IT'S THE JUDGES. IT'S THE JUDGES.
I WANT TO ASK THAT EVERYBODY FOLLOW UP THAT QUESTION WITH, DID THE D.A. URGE THEIR MOTION WITHIN SEVEN DAYS? BECAUSE OUR CONSTITUTION REQUIRES IT.
AND IF THE D.A. FILES A PIECE OF PAPER AND DOESN'T GET THE JUDGE'S SIGNATURE IN SEVEN DAYS, IT'S NOT THE JUDGE'S FAULT.
IT REQUIRES THAT THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS GO BACK, WHERE WE'RE NOW SEEING THE OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF PEOPLE REPEATING OFFENDERS, ARE PICKED UP BY YOU ALL.
AND UNFORTUNATELY BEING PICKED UP BY YOU ALL, WHO ARE GIVING A SHORT PERCENTAGE. I HAD THEM IN THE D.A. OFFICE LISTENING TO THE JAIL CALLS. I CAN TELL YOU FOR YEARS, THOSE CALLS ARE ALWAYS ABOUT, HEY, GO GET ME OUT.
IT'S ALWAYS FIND US SOMEBODY IN THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS A HOME AND PUT DOWN 10%. AND THAT CREATED A PATHWAY OF SUPERVISION BY SOMEBODY WHO IS WILLING TO PUT THEIR HOUSE ON THE LINE. TO SAY WHEN YOU GET OUT, YOU'RE UNDER MY ROOF. BECAUSE I'M NOT LOSING MY HOUSE.
WHEN THEIR BUDDIES CAN RAISE A COUPLE HUNDRED BUCKS TO PAY AND GET THEM OUT, THERE'S ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY.
AND IN ESSENCE, YOU HAVE CREATED A CIRCUMSTANCE WHILE YOU'RE ENCOURAGING RAPIDLY REPEATING PROPERTY OFFENSES AGAINST PEOPLE LIKE AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES AT A.T.M. MACHINES OR BURGLARY OF HABITATIONS. MR. GOOD SAID IT BEST.
HE SAID WHEN SOMEBODY IS A REPEAT OFFENDER, THEY'RE GOING TO GET CREDIT ON THE PREMIUM OF THEIR PREVIOUS BOND.
THE MORE YOU COMMIT CRIME, THE GREATER ADVANTAGE YOU GET TO
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, I NEED TO INTERRUPT YOU.
WE LET YOU GO BEYOND THREE. >> THANK YOU.
>> REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO FINISH THE LAST
THOUGHT? >> I'M ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS SOLUTION. THIS IS NOT THE END ALL, BE ALL.
WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT MORE COURTS.
WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT MORE TRUCK.
WE'VE GOT TO TALK ABOUT MORE OFFICERS.
WE HAVE TO TALK ABOUT MORE PROSECUTORS.
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE RECOGNIZING. THE SYSTEM RIGHT NOW OF PEOPLE GETTING OUT OF THE SYSTEM ON A REVOLVING DOOR, BECAUSE THEY CAN COME UP WITH CASH. NOT COLLATERAL.
THE WAY I'M HEARING THE COMMENTS, DO YOU BELIEVE IN -- IN YOUR KNOWLEDGE, IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, YOU KNOW, IN WHAT YOU DO, DO YOU KNOW OF A STATE THAT WENT THROUGH THE OTHER EXTREME AND NOT HAVING ANY BONDSMAN?
>> IN NEW JERSEY. >> ADVOCATING?
>> NEW JERSEY HAS RECENTLY GONE TO -- WELL, SO WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ISSUES. AND THIS IS PART OF THE CHALLENGE WITH WHERE WE ARE AS STATE LEADERS.
YOU'VE GOT A FOOT ON EACH SIDE OF THE FENCE.
YOU'VE GOT SOME PEOPLE -- AND THIS -- EXCUSE ME.
RESPECTFULLY TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE, YOU'VE ASKED FOR MORE TOOLS TO HOLD PEOPLE AT NO BOND. WE'VE GIVEN YOU COUNTLESS PLACES IN THE CONSTITUTION. IF YOU'RE UNDER INDICTMENT, IF YOU'RE ON PROBATION, YOU CAN FILE FOR NO BOND.
YOU HAVE 60 DAYS TO COME BACK. >> ONE QUICK QUESTION.
ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION OR THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION? >> TEXAS CONSTITUTION.
UNDER LL L-- >> OUR OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO USING EVERY TOOL AVAILABLE TO HOLDING ANY DEFENDANT, WHO CAN AND WHO NEEDS TO BE, BECAUSE OF THEIR VIOLENT STATUS IN CUSTODY, IF APPROPRIATE FOR THE TRIAL. LA REQUIRES HEARING THIS IN SEVEN DAYS. 11 JB DOES NOT.
THE COURT CAN ACT ON ITS HOLD TO HOLD THE DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY WITHOUT A HEARING. GOMEZ, THE COURT OF CRIMINAL
[01:45:02]
APPEALS JUST AFFIRMED THAT. WE'RE DEFINITELY COMMITTED.I WANT TO AFFIRM TO EVERYONE WHO IS HERE.
WE HAVE VOICE OF VICTIMS THROUGH THE MEETING, THE LAST MEETING.
WHERE WE HAD A BRIEF, SHORT TIME.
THE PROPOSED RULES A GIVEN TO US 48 HOURS OR LESS BEFORE THE LAST MEETING. OUR OWN VICTIMS' VOIR DIRE PANEL, WE'VE HEARD OPINIONS. WE'RE COMMITTED TO BOTH A LONG-TERM SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AS SENATOR WHITMIRE HAS SAID. HE'S A LEADER ON THAT ISSUE.
NOW I'M HEARING YOU WILL, TOO. I HEARD FROM SENATOR HUFFMAN ON FRIDAY. I WELCOME ALL OF THOSE COMMITMENTS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT NEXT LEGISLATION BEFORE THE BOARD TODAY.
I DO HAVE SOME POSSIBLE AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSE.
BUT ULTIMATELY TO SUPPORT NUMBER 12 ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
BUT WE'RE COMMITTED AND BEYOND COMMITTED TO HOLDING OFFENDERS IN CUSTODY. BUT IT MAKES EVERYONE TO DO THEIR PART. IF IT'S A CAPITAL MURDER CASE AND A JUDGE IS AUTHORIZED BY STATUTE TO HOLD THE DEFENDANT IN CUSTODY, WE NEED THEM TO DO THAT.
AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO HAVING THOSE HEARINGS.
SO IF YOU LOOK IN THE DISTRICT CLERK'S RECORD, WHICH IS THE RECORD FOR EVERYTHING AND LOOK AT ALL OF THE MOTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED BY THE D.A.'S OFFICE, TO ASK THE COURTS TO USE THE LAWS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN TO THEM, WE'RE COMMITTED TO DOING THAT. I'LL EXPRESS THAT TO EVERYONE
WHO IS HERE AND TO YOU. >> AND I'M SURE -- I'M SURE YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT MY RESPONSE IS I DO.
AND I HAVE. AND ANY TIME YOU SEE YOUR MOTION FILED, AND THAT MOTION DOES NOT HAVE A JUDGE'S SIGNATURE, IT MEANS YOU DID NOT PURSUE THE HEARING.
AND THIS IS WHAT I'M ASKING. >> I DON'T THINK YOU CAN DRAW
THAT CONCLUSION RESPECTFULLY. >> THAT'S FINE.
>> YOU KNOW FROM WHATTING IN COURT, A JUDGE WILL DO WHAT
THEY'RE GOING TO DO. >> NO, THEY'RE NOT.
IT IS INHERENT ON THE ATTORNEY TO GET A RULING.
AND TO SAY THAT THE JUDGE IS REQUIRED TO GET A RULING IS TOTALLY ILLOGICAL OF OUR OBLIGATION AS LAWYERS.
I'M NOT -- WHAT I'M ASKING IS THAT WE COMMUNICATE IN AN HONEST MANNER. AND SO IN THE SAME WAY THAT YOU SAY, HEY, YOU GUYS PASSED A BILL THAT HOLD THEM AT NO BOND.
THAT'S NOT TRUE. AND THESE INDIVIDUALS DESERVE TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH AND HOW COMPLEX THIS ISSUE IS.
WHICH IS WHY I SAY THIS SOLUTION RIGHT HERE IS A SMALL PORTION OF TRYING TO RESOLVE THIS MOMENT'S CRISIS.
BUT IT'S NOT THE ULTIMATE ANSWER.
AND SO BACK TO YOUR QUESTION. COULD YOU DISMANTLE THE FOR-PROFIT INSURANCE COMPANY INDUSTRY, THAT IS ON WALL
STREET, MAKING A PROFIT. >> A BONDSMAN.
BONDSMAN. >> YOU COULD GO TO THE NEW JERSEY MODEL AND JUST SAY, THIS IS NO LONGER CASH.
IT'S RISK OR NO RISK. BUT RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE WE HAVE A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION THAT CAN BE HELD AT NO BOND, ON RISK OR BY ALLEGATION OF YOUR CHARGE, UPON MOTION AND A HEARING PRESENTED BY THE D.A.'S OFFICE, AND I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU IF THERE ARE ISSUES WITHIN THAT SYSTEM THAT Y'ALL ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH. I CAN LOOK AT YOUR FILING.
I CAN SEE WHETHER OR NOT IT HAS A JUDGE'S SIGNATURE OR NOT.
AND SO CAN EVERYBODY ELSE. >> THAT'S NOT THE END OF THE QUESTION. YOU KNOW AS WELL, MR. MCKINNEY, ANY LAWYER WOULD TELL YOU THAT FILING A MOTION, URGING A MOTION BEFORE THE COURT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE COURT IS NECESSARILY GOING TO ACT ON IT. THAT WAS MY ONLY COMMENT.
>> SO THIS IS LIKE ANNOUNCING AN ENGAGEMENT IN THE NEWSPAPER AND THEN NOT SHOWING UP FOR THE CEREMONY.
THE JUDGE CAN'T MAKE A DETERMINATION.
>> WE'RE IN COURT EVERY SINGLE DAY.
>> SO ROMANTIC. >> I'M ASKING THAT WE, ONE, CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THOUGHTFUL CONVERSATION.
THIS IS COMPLICATED. I'M GRATEFUL THAT THERE ARE THESE FOLKS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY LIFE DOWN HERE, ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS NOT THE SOLUTION. IT IS PART OF IT.
AND THIS COMMITMENT IS GOING TO BE NEED TO BE MADE TO REFORM THIS ENTIRE SYSTEM. TO TRULY PUT PUBLIC SAFETY AT THE FRONT END. AND IT MEANS ALL OF US, AS A ROLE IN THIS SYSTEM, HAVE TO BE HONEST AND GENUINE ABOUT WHERE WE'RE MAKING MISTAKES OR HAVE FAILURES AND WHERE WE CAN DO BETTER. MY COMMITMENT TO YOU IS THAT MY FIGHT ON THIS DOESN'T STOP TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> MAY I BE RECOGNIZED?
MR. GARZA. >> I HEARD WHAT YOU'RE SAYING ABOUT WHAT KEN SAID. HE WASN'T TALKING ABOUT REPEAT OFFENDERS. HE WAS TALKING ABOUT WHEN SOMEBODY GOES TO COURT AND THEIR BOND IS REVOKED BY THE JUDGE AND THEY GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THE SAME CASE ON A NEW BOND THAT THE JUDGE RAISED. I UNDERSTAND.
>> LET'S TAKE THAT. BECAUSE IF YOU'RE GOING TO GIVE
>> YOU BROUGHT IT UP. >> YOU SAID TO GO BACK TO COURT.
THE JUDGE GETS UPSET, RAISED THE BOND AND GIVE THEM CREDIT FOR THE BOND THEY MADE THE DAY BEFORE.
THE JUDGES THAT DO THAT IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.
NOW TO ADDRESS WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT BAIL, WOULD YOU BE AGREEABLE TO ADMIT -- OR TO ACCEPT THAT PART OF THE PROBLEM IS ALL THE P.R. BONDS THAT WERE GIVEN OUT FROM 2017 UP UNTIL
[01:50:03]
NOW. THERE'S A MIXTURE OF THOSE THAT THE BONDSMAN AREN'T MAKING ANY OF THOSE BONDS.>> SO IF I RECALL -- >> IT IS COMPLEX.
LIKE YOU SAID. >> IT IS COMPLEX.
BUT IF I RECALL, THE "HOUSTON CHRONICLE" FOUND ABOUT 90% OF THE PEOPLE THAT WERE COMMITTING VIOLENT REOFFENSES WERE ON YOUR BONDS, NOT THESE JUDGES' BOND OPINION THESE JUDGES ARE ELECTED. THESE FOLKS CAN GO DOWN, LOOK AT THE RECORD, SEE WHAT THEY DID AND THEY CAN GO EVERY FOUR YEARS IN NOVEMBER AND DECIDE I DON'T WANT YOU ANY MORE.
THESE FOLKS DON'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
SO YOU ARE SUPERSEDING THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE JUDGE, WHEN THE JUDGE SETS A BOND AT 100,000 DOLLARS AND DECIDES HER GOOD FRIEND DOESN'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING, OTHER THAN CALL HER, AND SHE'S GOING TO GET THE PERSON OUT, SHE'S SUPERSEDING THE JUDGMENT OF THE JUDGE, THAT IS ELECTED BY THE PUBLIC, AND HAS A STATUTORY OBLIGATION TO DETERMINE FUTURE DANGER.
A FUTURE RISK TO YOU MEANS ANOTHER BOND YOU CAN MAKE A
PROFIT ON. >> WE LOSE 100% OF THE MONEY IN THE EVENT THE DEFENDANT DOESN'T GO TO COURT.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. DOESN'T GO TO COURT.
WHEN THEY RE-OFFEND, THEY GET ARRESTED AND GO TO COURT.
>> HOW MANY OF THOSE EXASPERATED THE CRIME WAVE WE'RE AT NOW? THAT'S WHERE THIS STARTED. WE'RE CATCHING THE TAIL END OF THE JUDGES ARE ACTUALLY AFRAID TO GIVE THEM ANY MORE P.R.
BONDS. THEY'RE ALREADY BECOME REPEAT OFOFFENDERS FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS.
>> LOOK AT THE CHRONICLE'S REPORT, THAT THE OVERWHELMING AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT WERE COMMITTING REPEAT VIOLENT
OFFENDERS. >> YOU CAN FIND AN EXPERT TO SAY ANYTHING. YOU KNOW THAT.
AS A D.A., AS A PROSECUTOR. AS ANYBODY.
WE CAN FIND AN EXPERT TO SAY THAT IT'S RAINING OUTSIDE IF WE
WANT TO. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS FOR HER? >> NO, SIR.
> >> IF THE COMMENTS CAN BE LIMITED TO THE THREE MINUTES, BECAUSE THE ARGUING BACK AND
>> UNDER THE PUBLIC INFORMATION ACT, THE PEOPLE ON THE BOARD CAN ASK QUESTIONS AND GET ANSWERS OUTSIDE OF THE THREE MINUTES.
>> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. [APPLAUSE]
>> WELCOME. >> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU TO THIS BOARD FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU.
I SEE ANDY HERE WITH CRIME STOPPERS.
GLAD THAT THEY HAVE FINALLY TAKEN A POSITION ON THIS ITEM.
AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF US -- ALL OF US TO BE ON THE SAME PAGE. I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR THAT MR. CASTRO WAS THE FIRST INSPIRATION FOR THIS ITEM.
I WANT TO THANK YOU F F FOR GIVG SO MUCH YOUR TIME.
I DON'TKNOW WHETHER IT'S ASIDE FROM THE GRIEVING THAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO OR IN ADDITION TO.
I WANT TO THANK YOU. AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE OTHER FAMILIES WHO HAVE BEEN MORE OF THAT MOTIVATION AND THAT INSPIRATION. TO CONTINUE TO FIND ANSWERS AND ABSOLUTELY, MR. GARZA, YOU'RE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB REPRESENTING THE INDUSTRY. ALL I ASK YOU TO DO IS TO BIFURCATE YOUR VIEW AND INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY IN THIS.
BECAUSE IT WAS ACTUALLY YOU, MR. GARZA, THAT HELPED TO CREATE A 5-0 VOTE AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
YOU MADE IT REAL CLEAR, JUST AS THERE WAS THE DISCUSSION EARLIER, ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE -- THAT THERE DOES NEED TO BE AN IMPROVEMENT IN THE SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO KEEP PEOPLE SAFE WITH THE MOST DANGEROUS.
THIS 10% I RECOGNIZE AS A LONGTIME LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER, LIKE MY SHERIFF. THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PLACE THAT WE CAN MAKE IMPROVEMENTS ON. AND I ASK THE REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, WITH OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND OUR STATE SENATOR, THAT WHILE WE'RE LOOKING FOR COMPREHENSIVE REFORM TO BAIL, YOU MAY WANT TO START TO CONSIDER THE RISK OR NO-RISK REFORM.
I MEAN, IF WE CAN'T GET TO THE AGREEMENT OF WHERE MONEY SHOULD MAKE PEOPLE SAFE OR SAFER, THEN MAYBE WE HAVE TO LOOK AT A WHOLESALE CHANGE IN THE ENTIRE PROCESS.
[01:55:01]
BUT TODAY THIS ITEM IS BEFORE YOU.AND SO I'M IMPLORING YOU TO TAKE A POSITION.
IF YOU CAN'T VOTE ON THIS ITEM, DON'T ABSTAIN.
VOTE NO. LET PEOPLE KNOW WHERE YOU STAND.
>> ONE QUESTION. >> MADAM, I HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. >> I HAVE THE FLOOR.
YOU CAN'T VOTE ON THE ITEM -- WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS? IF YOU CAN'T VOTE ON AN OPTION, LOGICALLY SPEAK, I'M NOT
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'M SAYING. I'M SAYING STATE YOUR POSITION.
STATE YOUR POSITION. VOTE FOR IT OR VOTE AGAINST IT.
STATE YOUR POSITION. THAT'S WHAT -- THAT'S WHAT THESE FOLKS NEED TO SEE. [APPLAUSE] WE DON'T NEED A PAYMENT PLAN. WE NEED SOME DEGREE OF EXPECTATION. WE NEED A DEGREE OF EXPECTATION THAT THE FAMILIES DESERVE. AND SO I'M HERE SIMPLY TO ADVOCATE ON THAT, THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIX ONE PIECE, AS WE'VE BEEN WORKING FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS TO FIX MANY PIECES. THIS IS YET ANOTHER -- ANOTHER TOOL IN A TOOLBOX FOR OUR COMMUNITY, FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY. AND I'LL BE HERE AGAIN.
AND I'LL ASK THESE FOLKS TO BE HERE AGAIN.
AND I'LL ASK THESE FOLKS TO VISIT WITH YOU AGAIN.
THERE SEASON -- IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR LEADERSHIP TO EMERGE. THEY'RE ON THE SAME PAGE ON THIS. AND SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS. NOW THIS IS NOT AN INDICTMENT ON THE ENTIRE BOND INDUSTRY. IT'S NOT.
>> COMMISSIONER, I HATE TO CUT YOU OFF.
YOU'VE HAD YOUR THREE MINUTES. >> THANK YOU.
SIMPLY TO SAY IT'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT BY DEMONSTRATING LEADERSHIP. WE NEED YOU TO SHOW UP FOR THESE FAMILIES TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR -- EXCUSE ME, SIR. I'M ADDRESSING YOU.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
I HAVE KNOWN YOU FOR MANY YEARS. YOU HAVE WORN MANY HATS.
MY QUESTION IS IN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR INTERACTION WITH CRIME, DO YOU -- DO YOU AGREE WITH ME THAT IN A HARRIS COUNTY BAIL BOND BOARD SETTING EXTINGUISH -- WE'RE GOING TO DEFER TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION AS FAR AS INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS.
IN ADDITIO TO THE CURRENT LAW, AS IT STANDS, WOULD YOU AGREE
I WOULD SIMPLY SAY YOU HAVE AVAILABLE TO YOU SOME PHENOMENAL LEGAL ADVICE FROM YOUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS ALREADY STATED A POSITION OF WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY OF THIS BOARD IS. WHAT THE ROLE OF THIS BOARD IS.
AND THAT YOU HAVE ALL THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO MAKE DECISIONS TODAY. WITHOUT DEFERRING TO ANOTHER BODY FOR LEGAL INTERPRETATION. YOUR COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS ALREADY TAKEN A POSITION, HAS ALREADY PROVIDED THE ADVICE AND DO SO AGAIN. IF YOU'LL JUST DEFER TO HIM.
>> DID YOU SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT THAT BROUGHT US HERE?
>>> THANK YOU. >> NO SUCH THING AS FELONY BAIL.
>> THANK YOU. >> NO FELONY BAIL EXISTS.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >>
[02:00:53]
>> ADVANCED COMPANIES. >> OKAY.
>> THE WAY YOU WERE -- >> OKAY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE IT CLEAR.
FOR THOSE WHO DON'T SPEAK SPANISH, I GIST WANT -- JUST
WANTED THEM TO UNDERSTAND. >> OKAY.
>> BASICALLY -- 10%. THE LAW SAY IN BLACK AND WHITE,
10%. >> THE LAW DOES NOT SAY THAT.
HOW DO YOU DETERMINE GIVEN A PREMIUM PLANS TO THE PEOPLE.
WHAT IS YOUR KNOWLEDGE TO SAY THIS PERSON CAN GO INTO THE PREMIUM PLAN. IT'S THE CRIMINALS OF HOUSTON OR WHAT ELSE? OR BECAUSE THE OTHER COMPANY IS OFFERING LESS MONEY. SO YOU'RE FIGHTING TO GET YOUR CONTRACT WITH THIS PERSON. AND MAKE YOUR BUSINESS.
>> CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION, SIR.
RESPECTFULLY. I ATTEND CRIME STOPPERS MEETINGS. THIS BECAME PERSONAL TO ME WHEN PEOPLE STARTED DYING. JUST SO YOU KNOW THAT.
I GO EVERY MONTH. I ACTUALLY TALK TO THE FAMILIES.
AND THIS IS GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING.
I'M A HUMAN BEING. AND I CARE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE CITY, BECAUSE I HAVE WATCHED CRIME RISE.
I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHY. I JUST KNEW THAT IT WAS BAD.
YOU TURN ON THE TV, YOU KNOW THAT SOMETHING IS GOING ON.
BUT TO ASK YOU A QUESTION, BEING RESPECTFUL IN HERE THAT PEOPLE IN HERE HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, IF 10% DOES NOTHING AND CRIME IS STILL RISING. THE LAW IS ON YOUR SIDE AND YOU DO EVERYTHING -- YOU GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT.
ARE YOU GOING TO FEEL ANY BETTER WHEN THE -- WHEN YOU GET YOUR 10% AND YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IS ALL THAT MUCH GONE.
>> THE QUESTION IS FOR ME, YES. >> THIS IS THE MINIMUM.
IF YOU -- IF YOU SAY WE'RE HUMAN, BECAUSE YOU'RE A HUMAN.
YOU CARE ABOUT THIS FAMILY, YOU NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR THE 10%.
>> LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. FIRST OF ALL, WE DON'T LIKE TO DO PAYMENT PLANS. I'D BE SAYING, LET'S DO 10%.
THERE'S A LEGAL STANDARD, BECAUSE I USED TO BE A PARALEGAL. I USED TO WORK FOR ATTORNEYS, 14 YEARS BEFORE I WAS A BONDSMAN. THERE ARE THINGS I DON'T LIKE LEGALLY. BUT TO UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL HURDLE TO GET OVER IT, IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'VE HAD TO LIVE WITH JUDGMENTS AND COURT RULINGS THAT I DIDN'T LIKE.
AND I DISAGREED WITH. BUT I ALSO UNDERSTOOD THAT'S THE WAY THE BALL FALLS SOMETIMES AND THAT'S THE LEGALITY.
WHAT WE'VE GOT ON THE AGENDA IS LEGAL.
I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION THAT YOU GUYS ARE FEELING.
>> UNAFRAID OF THE PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF THE JAIL.
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. >> THIS IS GOING ON.
OKAY. I'M GOING TO TELL THE AUDIENCE RIGHT NOW, WE'RE DONE WITH THE OUTBURSTS.
THERE ARE ANY MORE, WE'LL HAVE THE SHERIFF REMOVE WHOEVER HAS AN OUTBURST. GIVE EVERYBODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK PLEASE, DO IT LIKE WE'VE DONE WHEN YOU SPOKE.
MA'AM, STATE YOUR NAME. >> MY NAME IS BLANC.
[02:05:02]
I'M HERE REPRESENTING DIAMOND. SHE WAS SHOT 22 TIMES.JUST LIKE MANY OTHERS, MANY OTHER CRIMES OUT THERE, THESE CRIMINALS ARE RELEASED ON A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF BAIL.
THEY HAD A CHOICE BEFORE THEY COMMITTED THE CRIME.
JUST LIKE YOU COMMIT A CHOICE, YOU HAVE A CHOICE, YOU HAVE CONSEQUENCES. SO THIS IS WHY I ASK TODAY THAT YOU GUYS ENFORCE THE 10%. BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS A CHOICE.
EITHER YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO DO RIGHT OR YOU HAVE A CHOICE TO DO WRONG. THEIR CHOICE WAS TO DO WRONG.
SO THEN THEY HAVE A CONSEQUENCE TO PAY THE 10%.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS CHANGE IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THE WORLD IN A 360 FORM. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT ENFORCING THE 10% WILL GIVE PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT, AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE MAKING A CRIMINAL ACTION.
I SPEAK PER EXPERIENCE. I AM A FELON.
I PAID THE 10%. I DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME EVER AGAIN. WHY? BECAUSE I HAD TO SEE MY PARENTS FIGHT TO SEE HOW TO GET THE MONEY FOR THAT 10%. DO I WANT TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN? NO.
I HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT TWICE BEFORE I COMMIT A CRIME SINCE
I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TRAFFIC TICKET BY THE GRACE OF GOD. I BELIEVE AN ENFORCEMENT OF 10% BUZZ I BELIEVE IT HELPS PEOPLE IN MAKING A CHANGE AND CHANGING THEIR ACTIONS.
THIS IS DOES NOT SEE COLOR. THIS DOES NOT SEE RELIGION. THIS DOES NOT SEE MONEY.
THIS IS HAPPENING TO ALL OF OUR FAMILIES. NOW, I ASK Y'ALL, HAS ANY TRAGEDY LIKE THIS HAPPENED TO Y'ALL? BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY AND MY FAMILY DOES NOT REST. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THESE CAMERAS BECAUSE THIS CRIMINAL IS OUT. THIS IS UNFAIR. I WISH I COULD SHOW YOU ALL THE VIDEOS OF THE CAMERAS OF THESE PEOPLE JUMPING OUT OF THEIR VEHICLES.
GOING INTO OUR YARD WHILE WE'RE CHASED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE DOOR BECAUSE OF THIS LOW BAIL BOND REFORM. MY FAMILY IS SUFFERING AND I GUARANTEE YOU IT'S NOT MY FAMILY THE ONLY ONE SUFFERING. I GUARANTEE YOU IT'S NOT JUST THE FAMILY HERE THAT IS SUFFERING. I GUARANTEE YOU IT'S NOT JUST MR. CASTROS FAMILY SUFFERING.
I GUARANTEE YOU IT'S NOT JUST ALL OF US HERE SUFFERING. IT'S WHOLE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THE WHOLE CITY OF HOUSTON IS SUFFERING. WE'RE ASKING YOU TO MAKE A
CHANGE. THE DECISION YOU'RES. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO SEE YOUR COMMENT AND IT GOES TOWARD THE LEGISLATURE, HOUSE AND SENATE AND CONSIDERATION BY THE PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY DIRECTLY REPRESENT US. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHAT
YOU HAVE TO SAY THERE. >> THAT WAS NOT A QUESTION AND DOESN'T REQUIRE A RESPONSE.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >>>GOOD AFTERNOON.
I'M OLIVIA RIVERS THE CEO OF BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATERS. MAY 6, 2019, ALEX WAS ARRESTED FOR TWO DWIS AND HIT AND RUN. GRANTED A PR BOND. JULY 31, 2019, ALEX WAS ARRESTED FOR ASSAULT ON A FAMILY MEMBER. HE PUNCHED KATILYN IN THE FACE AFTER SHE DISCOVERED HE TORTURED AND KILLED THE FAMILY CAT FOR THE SECOND TIME. AUGUST 1, 2019, KATILYN WAS GRANTED A PROTECTIVE ORDER. AUGUST 3, 2019, ALEX WAS RELEASED ON ANOTHER PR BOND.
AUGUST 3RD, LATER THAT DAY, 2019, ALEX WAS ARRESTED AGAIN. THIS TIME THE CHARGE WAS CAPITAL MURDER. BARELY FOUR MONTHS PREGNANT WITH HER SECOND CHILD KATILYN WAS MURDERED BY HER HUSBAND. AT THE TIME OF HER DEATH LEAVING BEHIND # MONTH OLD BABY AND NUMEROUS FAMILY AND FRIENDS. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAD HADS ARE PREDICTABLE AND THEREFORE PREVENTABLE. THE SYSTEM SHOULD NOT AND KEEP VICTIMS SAFE BUT HOLD O FENNERS ACCOUNTABLE. THE HISTORY AEVEN TIME LINE FORESHADOWED THE POTENTIAL OF FATALITY. HER DEATH WAS PREVENTABLE YET HERE I STAND HOLDING HER OBI OBITUARY. I BELIEVE THERE ARE ENEQUITIES BUT WE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE WHO IS RELEASED BASED OEN WHO CAN AND WITH CAN NOT PLAY.
OUR SYSTEM HAS A RESPONSIBILITY OF THE NATURE OF CRIME AND VIOLENCE.
OUR SYSTEM CANNOT EXIST IN EXTREMES. THERE MUST BE A BALANCE WE
[02:10:03]
CANNOT HAVE A SYSTEM THAT IGNORES THE RIGHTS OF VICTIM AND FAMILIES AND TURN TO BLIND EYE TO THESE CRIMES. WE NEED SYSTEMS THAT IMPLEMENT RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS THAT DO THREE THEY THINKS. IDENTIFY THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NONVIOLENT AND LOW RISK AND VIOLENT AND REPEAT OFFENDER. ENHANCE AND INCREASE PROTECTION AND SAFETY OF COMMUNITY AND VICTIMS AND THREE, ENSURE OUTCOMES ARE UNBIASSED BASED ON GENDER R RACE AND OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS. 10% IS NOT TOO MUCH. 10% IS NOT TOO MUCH TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF VUR S SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE ASK YOU TO COUNT THE COST AT NOT MAKING THIS DECISION. FOR FAMILIES LIKE KIT KATILYNS THE COST WAS HUMAN LIFE AND INHER CASE TWO HUMAN LIVES. >> JUST TO COMMENT. KATILYN WAS A VERY PERSONAL CASE TO ME. I WENT TO HER FUNERAL. I ATTENDED IT.
THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS TERM FOR ME. THIS IS WHERE IT BECAME PERSONAL. I MET HER MOTHER. I WENT TO A CRIME STOPPERS MEETING FOR THE FIRST TIME OF THE URGING OF HER MOTHER. I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND WITH KATILYN THAT WAS THE FIRST CASE THAT TURNED MY OPINION AND MY IDEAS ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH CRIME AND WHY IT WAS SO HORRENDOUS. SO THANK YOU.
>>>GOOD AFTERNOON. >> ONE SECOND. THE JUDGE HAS ARRIVED AND HERE DURING THE COURSE OF THE LAST SPEAKER. SHE SKRUS COME FROM A FUNERAL AND HAS TO LEAVE FOR ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT. I'M GOING TO ALLOW TO MAKE COMMENTS SHE WANTS TO MAKE THEN WE'LL CONTINUE WITH PUBLIC COMMENTS.
>> THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKER AND CHAIR. GREETINGS TO EVERYONE.
I WAS AT THE DEPUTIES FUNERAL. I HAVE ANOTHER ENGAGEMENT. I THOUGHT IT IMPORTANT TO DROP BY AND REAFFIRM MY COMMITMENT FOR THIS MEASURE. I'M SO HEARTENED THIS BODY TAKEN IT UP AGAIN. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS VERY CAREFULLY EXPLAINED THE APPROPRIATENESS OF THIS MEASURE. I'M NOT GOING TO PRETEND THAT IT WILL SOLVE EVERYTHING.
BUT IT WILL BE A BIG AND IMPORTANT STEP. WE HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE WAVE OF GUN VIOLENCE THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY AND THE TRUTH IS, THAT TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE BEHIND BARS ARE OUT REOFFENDING BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN ALLOWED TO PAY ONE OR TWO PERCENT BOND OPPOSED TO THE TRADITIONAL 10%. THAT'S A PIECE. THAT'S PIECE OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO. WE'RE PUTTING IN HISTORIC INVESTMENT RS HIRING MORE VUJS, RAISES FOR PROSECUTOR, RAISES FOR POLICE OFFICERS. YOU NAME IT.
BUT THIS IS ALSO A PIECE THAT WE NEED TO GET DONE. I WAS DISAPPOINTED THIS DIDN'T PASS THE LAST TIME. COMMISSIONERS COURT SUPPORTED THIS.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WORKED WITH OUR TREASURER TO PUT TOGETHER.
I VERY MUCH HOPE THIS BODY TODAY WILL JOIN ALL OF US ON COMMISSIONER COURT WHO APPROVE THIS ON BIPARTISAN BASIS AND SO MANY FOLKS CALLING US TO TAKE THIS STEP IN OUR FIGHT AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T -- DO WANT TO THANK ALL THE FOLK ON BEHALF OF VICTIMS. I KNOW EVERY TIME YOU DO THIS YOU RELIVE A TRAUMA BUT IT'S IMPORTANT.
THANK YOU AND WE HEAR YOU AND HONOR YOU. I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME. CATHERINE FROM MY STAFF WILL TAKE MY SEAT AND VOTE YES WHEN IT COMES TIME TO DO THAT. THANK YOU. [CLAPPING]
>>>GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ALISHA.
I WORK FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL. I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH INDIVIDUALS KNOWN AS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HIGH RISK TEAM.
IT'S A NEWER INITIATIVE CREATED IN 2018 TO ADDRESS THE SKYROCKETING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE HOMICIDES THAT GOT NATIONAL NOTICE. THE TEAM WORKS TO IDENTIFY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE CASES THROUGH VALIDATED RISK ASSESSMENT TOOLS.
SO I HEAR YOU REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON. WE USE TOOLS TO EDUCATE JUDGES ON THE LE THAT WILLTY OF CASES AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE MOST AT RISK FOR HOMICIDE.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE CHORUS OF VOICES ASKING FOR 10% RULE TO GO IN TO AFFECT. SADLY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAS BEEN UNDERRESOURCED, UNDERFUND, UNORGANIZED ISSUE ESPECIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM SINCE SERVICES AND ACKNOW ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
[02:15:02]
SINCE COVID WE ARE SEEING A RECORD NUMB OF HOMICIDES DUE TO LACK OF AGENCIES TALKING TO ONE ANOTHER IN EFFECTIVE COMMUNE DAGS TO MAKE SURE MEASURES ARE IN PLACE.FOR THOSE OF US WORKING IN THIS ISSUE THE POSSIBILITY OF THE TEN PERCENT GOING INTO AFFECT CAN HELP PROVIDE ONE SMALL THIN LAYER OF SAFETY. ESPECIALLY WHEN TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WE HAVE TO WORK QUICKLY TO FIND SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR SOMEBODY MOST AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS CRIME. SUPPORTING THIS 10% RULE IS ONE OF MANY SMALL TOOLS WE CAN DO TO WORK TOGETHER TO GIVE VICTIMS TIME TO DEPLOY A PLAN TO INCREASE THEIR PATH WAY TO SAFETY. WE CAN WORK QUICKLY TO PROVIDE THAT. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MANY SURVIVORS ARE GRATEFUL WHEN AN ARREST IS MADE. WE CAN PUT THEIR PLAN OF ACTION IF PLACE QUICKLY.
10% RULE I ASK YOU NOT STOP THERE. CONSIDER AND THINK THROUGH THE LENS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THERE ARE OTHER PROTECTIVE MEASURES YOU CAN DO.
SUCH AS USING, TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT IS ACTUALLY GRANTED IN THE COURT SUCH AS EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND THING LIKE THAT AND ENCOURAGE BONDING COMPANIES TO REINFORCE MEASURES I. ASK YOU TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE VICTIM SURVIVOR OF THAT CRIME IS NOT ELIGIBLE TO POST BOND FOR THAT CRIME. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY SURVIVORS I HAVE INTIMIDATED OR MADE TO FEEL GUILTY THEREFORE THEY ARE POSTING THE BOND AND SOMETHING IS HAPPENING AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THAT BOND. I THANK YOU FOR THE TIME AND ATTENTION TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER. I LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THIS AND CONTINUING WAYS TO DIALOGUE ABOUT THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY THROUGH THE LENS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FOR SAFETY OF SURVIVORS THAT SUFFER FROM INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>>THANK YOU. >>>HI.
I STAND HERE AS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 21 IS A NUMBER THAT I TYPICALLY USE WHEN I'M TRYING TO FAST OR CHANGE SOMETHING IN ANY LIFE. THIS NUMBER HAS BEEN TAINTED IN MY MEMORY WITH SOMETHING NEGATIVE FOREVER. IT WAS JUNE 21, 2021, AT MY ADDRESS 2821 THAT I WAS REPEATEDLY TOLD I WAS GOING TO DIE.
I WAS STRANGLED FOR A PERIOD OF 21 MINUTES. AFTER THE INCIDENT I WAS ABLE TO, YES, ASK MY ABUSER TO LEAVE. UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD BEFORE HE RETURNED TO MY PROPERTY WITH THE NEIGHBOR WITH WITH A SELF-INFLICTED INJURY.
AS A BLACK WOMAN I DID NOT KNOW IF I COULD CALL THE POLICE AND BE PROTECTED IN THIS SITUATION.
HAVING NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS BEFORE I WAS CONFUSED, TERRIFIED FOR MY LIFE.
I STILL AM. I WAS 21 WEEKS PREGNANT, SHOCKED AND AFRAID HOLDING MY BELLY ON ONE HAND AND MY 8-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER ON MY RIGHT. I WAS THREATENED FOR MY LIFE.
HEADACHE, SORE THROAT, FRACTURED FOOT. I CONTACTED THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOT LINE AND WENT TO ER. HE STRANGLED ME SO BADLY MY VOCAL CORDS WERE FRACTURES. I WAS ABLE TO FILE A POLICE REPORT.
AT 21 WEEKS PREGNANT I BECAME A VICTIM OF VIOLENCE CRIME. AT THE SAME TIME A MOM, FRIEND, EXECUTIVE BECAME A VICTIM OF VIOLENT CRIME TERRIFIED. THERE WERE THOUSAND WOMEN AND MEN WHO LOOK LIKE ME STILL TERRIFIED. IN ORDER TO FLEE FOR MY SAFETY I WENT TO THE WEST COAST AND IT COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. IT COST ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THE CASE FOR MY ABUSER.
AFTER HIS ARREST IT TOOK ABOUT TWO AND A HALF WEEKS MIND YOU TO ARREST HIM.
MY ABUSER BUT ABLE TO WALK FREE FOR A COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS. THIS ANGERS ME.
HE GETS TO WALK THE STREETS AND I AM STILL TERRIFIED ALMOST A YEAR LATER.
THE FACT THAT MY LIFE WAS PLACED IN SOMEONE'S HANDS WHO TRIED TO STRANGLE ME AND WHO TRIED TO KILL ME AND WAS ABLE TO WALK FREE FOR A COUPLE OF A HUNDRED DOLLARS IS MIND BOGGLING FOR ME.
AS YOU KNOW THERE IS AN UP TICK OF VIOLENT CRIMES RANGING FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TO MURDER IN HARRIS COUNTY. LIKE ME OUR CIVILIANS ARE AFRAID.
THOSE OF I US LIKE MYSELF VICTIMIZED WE ARE TERRIFIED. WE DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE.
THIS IS UNFAIR. VERY MANY VOICES IN THIS ROOM. THAT'S UNFAIR TO VOICES IN THE ROOM AND THOSE NOT IN THE ROOM. IT'S ALSO UNFAIR TO VOICES LIKE MY DEAR FRIEND PAUL'S SON DAVID WHO IS NOT HERE AS A VOICE. ABSTAINING FROM THIS ISSUE MEANS THAT SOMEONE'S LIFE IS ON
THE LINE. >> YOUR TIME EXPIRED. >> VOTE FOR THE 10%.
[02:20:04]
THANK YOU. [CLAPPING] >>>THANK YOU.
THANK YOU TO PANEL AND THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO STAND WITH US IN THIS MOVEMENT.
THAT INCLUDE KEY ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBERS. SHERIFF, STATE SENATOR, STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU TO MY DV SISTER AGENCY DO MES I VIOLENCE SISTER AGENCIES FOR YOUR VOICE, TOO. I'M A SOCIAL WORKER AND THE CHIEF STRATEGIES OFFICER AT THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN CENTER. WE HAVE OUR VICE PRESIDENT OF LEGAL SERVICES WITH US. HOUSTON AIR WOMEN CENTER HAS BEEN ON THE FRONT LINES OF SUPPORTERS SURVIVORS ABOUT 45 YEARS. WE HOST A BREATH OF LEGAL SERVICES. I CAN TELL YOU AND JOIN THOSE SISTER AGENCIES TODAY OF OUR UNWAIVERS SUPPORT 10% MINIMUM. IT IS INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY. JUST AS IMPORTANT IN THE INTEREST OF SURVIVORS WE SEE. BECAUSE THIS 10% RULE COULD MAKE THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE IN ALLOWING SURVIVORS TO ACCESS SERVICES, THOSE RESOURCES AND PLAN FOR THEIR SAFETY IN A TRUE PATHWAY TO LIVE A LIFE FREE FROM VIOLENCE. IT GIVES THEM A LITTLE TIME.
AT A TIME WHEN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS AT A HIGH RATE THAN EVER BEFORE, THIS IS A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH EVERYONE. LET US NOT AS A COMMUNITY ACCEPT ANOTHER LIFE TAKEN BY DO MES IING VIOLENCE JUST BECAUSE THE ABUSER GOT OUT ON LOW BAIL.
THINK ABOUT THAT. ALL TOO OFTEN THE CLIENTS WE SERVE ARE LEFT IN THE DARK.
WHEN THEY LEARN THEIR ABUSER IS RELEASED BECAUSE OF BOND. WE'VE SEEN CASES CLIENTS ARE STALK, PROPERTY IS DAMAGED OR WORSE THEY RETURN TO ABUSER OUT OF FEAR.
THEY CAN'T PAY RENT. ABUSER IS THREATENING HIS OR HER LIFE.
SUCH ACTS AFFECT THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. NAMELY WOMEN OF COLOR AND COMMUNITIES IMPACTED BY HISTORICAL ANDEN GOING REPRESSION.
JOB LOSS, INCOME LOSS, HOUSING INSTABILITY, LIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND DECREASED ACCESS TO CHILD CARE. WE DO BELIEVE IN A FUTURE DEFINED BY SAFER RELATIONSHIPS AND CARING FAMILIES AND TRUST THE BOARD DOES, TOO. KEEP SURVIVORS SAFE.
DON'T DISCOUNT THEIR LIVES BY ALLOWING THE DISCOUNTING OF BAIL.
IMPOSE THE 10% BAIL AND PROVIDE AN ADDITIONAL LIFELINE FOR SURVIVORS.
THANK YOU. >>>GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS AMY CASTEO.
I'M HERE AS A VICTIM FAMILY MEMBER IN SUPPORT OF THE O % MINIMUM BAIL.
MY BROTHER JOSHUA WAS MURDERED LAST MAY BY A CRIMINAL ON A FELONY BOND.
THE CURRENT STATE OF BOND IN HARRIS COUNTY IS AT THE LOWEST POINT FIGURATIVELY AND LITERALLY. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON BAIL BONDMAN SHOULD TAKE 1% OF BAIL PLUS ALLOW FOR FINANCING. WHY ARE WE ALLOWING SUCH LOW EXPECTATIONS FOR SUCH HIGH CRIMES? ESPECIALLY VIOLENT REPEAT FELONY OFFENDERS.
WHAT I SEE IS A SYSTEM WHO CARES MORE ABOUT THE CRIMINALSHAN LAW-ABIDING CITIZENS.
I BEG YOU TO HELP. PLEASE KEEP OUR COUNTY SAFE BY VOTING FOR 10% MINIMUM OF BOND.
ANYTHING LESS SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BLOOD MONEY. THANK YOU.
>>>MY NAME IS APRIL. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE ALVAREZ FAMILY.
NOT VOTING FOR THIS 10 PERCENT IS DISCOUNTING FAMILIES. TELLING FAMILIES THEY ARE NOT WORTH ANYTHING MORE THAN 10%. PEOPLE THAT KILL SOMEBODY IN THIS COUNTY AND IN TEXAS SHOULD BE INCONVENIENCED. SHOULD STRUGGLE TO COME UP WITH 10%.
IT SHOULDN'T BE INCONSEQUENTIAL WHEN YOU KILL SOMEBODY IN TEXAS. PEOPLE SHOULD WORRY.
PEOPLE SHOULD HAVE TO SELL THINGS AS DIAMONDS. HER PARENTS STRUGGLE TO GET HER OUT OF JAIL. THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. THIS 10% MANDATE IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS BECAUSE THEIR BOND IS LOW AS IT IS.
10% ON THAT ISN'T GOING TO BE VERY MUCH BUT IT'S GOING TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE TAKING LIVES HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE FACING CONSEQUENCES BEFORE THEY FACE TRIAL.
WE HAVE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO THE COMMUNITY SAYING YOU CANNOT GET AWAY WITH WITH THIS WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES BEFORE TRIAL. EVERYBODY HAS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO BAIL.
BUT UNFORTUNATELY TIMES HAVE CHANGED. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A NEED FOR REGULATION FOR BAIL BOND COMPANIES BUT CRIMES HAVE HAPPENED AND NOW IT'S AFFECTING
[02:25:01]
EVERYBODY. BLACK, WHITE, HISPANIC AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN.WE ALL BLEED RED. WHETHER YOU VOTED FOR TRUMP OR VOTED FOR BIDEN OR WHETHER YOU AGREE WITH ANYBODY ON THE BOARD THEY ARE KILLING EVERYBODY JUST THE SAME.
IT'S NOT FAIR FOR SOMEBODIES LIFE TO BE SNATCHED AND FOR US TO STANDBY AND DO NOTHING.
TO NOT CHANGE IS TO ACCEPT THE CURRENT TIMES. I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU A PICTURE OF ARLENE. THIS WAS TAKEN THE SAME WEEK AND THIS IS WHAT THEY DID TO HER.
ON THE WAY TO DINNER THEY WERE SITTING IN THEIR VEHICLE. THESE ARE THE VICTIMS. THESE ARE THE VICTIMS. THIS IS WHO YOU NEED TO STAND UP FOR.
THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY. OUR CHILDREN CHILDREN. DON'T FORGET WE'RE ALL TAXPAYERS AND WE'RE ASKING, WE'RE PLEADING WITH YOU TO HELP US BECAUSE THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN.
HER LIFE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM US AND IT WAS. IT WAS SENSELESS AND THIS PERSON WAS OUT 23 HOURS AFTER THIS HAPPENED. PLEASE COVER HIS EYES.
I'M GOING TO CHANGE THE PHOTO. THAT'S HER LITTLE BROTHER AND I DON'T WANT HIM TO SEE THIS.
THIS IS ARLENE AND WHAT THEY DID TO HER. STOP SHOWING THE COMMUNITY OF PHOTOS OF CHILDREN SMILING WE NEED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITY OUR DEAD CHILDREN.
THE CHILDREN WE COULDN'T AFFORD TO BURY. WE BURIED HER DUE TO THE KINDNESS OF HUE STONE YANS. WHY IS IT IT'S NOT TALKED ABOUT WHAT VICTIMS HAVE TO GO THROUGH IS THIS IT'S NOT TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT WE ALSO GO THROUGH FINANCIAL BURDENS BUT WE DON'T WANT TO FINANCIALLY BURDEN THE PEOPLE KILL OUR CITIZENS. CITIZENS THAT DON'T DESERVE TO DIE. FINANCIALLY THEY SHOULD FACE HARDSHIP FOR KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE. FINANCIALLY THEY SHOULD FACE A HARDSHIP.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. [CLAPPING]
>>>I AM ARLEN EESHGS SAUNT. I JUST WANT TO SAY I'M NOT A MOTHER YET BUT MY NIECES AND NEPHEWS ARE MY KIDS. I'VE BEEN AROUND MY SISTER AND BROTHERS ALL MY LIFE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY LET'S MAKE A 10% TO SAVE OUR CHILDREN.
SAVE OUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT MATTERS. THAT'S OUR FUTURE.
SAVE OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. >>
>>>ARMANDO. MARIO, EARLIER YOU MENTIONED AND SAID IF THIS DOESN'T MAKE A CHANGE WITHIN A YEAR, TWO YEARS. TO ME IT'S DISRESPECT SAYING IF IT'S GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE OR NOT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS. YOU DON'T KNOW IF IT IS OR NOT EITHER. YOU SAW MY DAUGHTER'S PICTURE, DIDN'T YOU?
>> I DID. >> DO YOU HAVE A DAUGHTER? >> YES, I DO.
>> HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOUR KILLER IS OUT ON BOND TOMORROW FOR THAT THOUSAND DOLLARS. $2,000. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MONEY WAS.
>> I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. >> EARLIER YOU KIND OF, TO ME I THOUGHT IT WAS A LAUGH.
ASKING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IF IT DOES NOT MAKE A CHANGE. >> THAT WAS NOT LAUGH.
>> TO ME IT WAS. >> SECOND WARNING. >> TO ME IT WAS.
HERE'S THE REASON WHY I CHOSE TO GET UP HERE. I FELT IT WAS A DISRESPECT AND I WANT TO SPEAK ON MY BEHALF MAN TO MAN. WE DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING TO MAKE A CHANGE. BUT WHY DON'T WE TRY TO START. MAYBE IT COULD.
IF IT DOESN'T AT LEAST WE TRIED. MY KID, MY DAUGHTER'S KILLER IS AT HOME.
HE'S AT HOME. HE SHOULD BE WAITING IN JAIL NOT AT HOME WATCHING TV.
I HAD TO SPEND $80,000 TO BURY MY DOLLAR. IS THERE A PAYMENT? I HAD TO PAY THAT UP FRONT. THERE WAS NO FINANCE. NO COLLATERAL.
I THAT'S ALL I HAD TO SAY. >> AS YOUR DAUGHTERS PICTURE WAS SHOWN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NOTICED BUT I MOUTHED TO YOU I'M SORRY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THAT.
I DID. AT THE END OF ALL THIS, WHAT I'VE LEARNED BY BEING WITH CRIME STOPPER AND VICTIMS THERE'S NOTHING I CAN SAY. THERE'S NO WORDS.
THE ONLY REASON I KNOW CRIME THE WAY I DO IS BECAUSE AT SOME POINT I WAS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A CRIMINAL DEFENDANT. NOW I'M A BONDSMAN.
29 YEARS OF WATCHING CRIME I KNOW WHAT CRIMINALS DO AND HOW THIS WAS GOING TO UNFOLD.
I KNOW 10% WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE IT'S BEEN TRIED. IN INDIANAPOLIS AND MA MARION.
THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE I CAN TELL YOU AS SURE AS I SIT HERE. 10% WHAT YOU'RE HARPING ON.
THIS IS ON THE RECORD. >> IT'S ONLY THE MINIMUM. >> IT WILL NOT WORK.
[02:30:05]
AGAIN, WE AGREE TO DISAGREE. BUT FOR THE LOSS OF YOUR DAUGHTER I CANNOT EVER, I AMSORRY, SIR, FOR YOUR LOSS. I TRULY AM. >> 10% IS A MINIMAL.
IF IT DIDN'T WORK GO HIGHER. [CLAPPING] >>>I'M ANDY DI RECK OR TO HAVE VICTIM SERVICES CRIME STOPPERS OF HOUSTON AND HERE AS A BOARD MEMBER OF PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN. WE ARE HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE 10% BAIL BOND RULE.
I'VE BEEN A VICTIM ADVOCATE FOR 30 YEARS AND HAVE WORKED WITH HOMICIDE SURVIVORS FOR OVER 30 YEARS. PRIOR TO LEARNING ABOUT GETTINGLESS THAN 10% I ALWAYS TELL VICTIMS FAMILIES, LOOK. THEY HAVE TO PUT DOWN 10%. I REMEMBER TELLING AMY, A PERSON THAT ALLEGEDLY MURDERED HER BROTHER GOT OUT ON $500,000 BOND.
I'M SURE THE COURT SET THAT EXTREMELY HIGH BOND WITH THE EXPECTATION THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PUT 10% DOWN. I'M SURE FOR JUDGES THIS HAS TO BE FRUSTRATING WHEN THEY PUT A HIGH BOND ON A DEFENDANT WITH THE EXPECTATION THERE'S A REASON WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR A MUCH HIGHER BOND THAN WE NORMALLY DO. BECAUSE THINK THEY THERE'S GOING TO BE AT LEAST 10%.
I DON'T SEE ANY DOWNSIDE IN DOING THIS. FOR SOMEONE THAT'S BEEN UP AT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS AND I'LL AGE MYSELF FOR 30 SOME ODD YEARS.
I WOULD RATHER HAVE SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS TO CHALLENGE THAN THE CURRENT SITUATION WHICH IS WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THE BOOKS TO CHALLENGE. IT'S SIMILAR WHAT WE'VE DONE WITH OTHER LAWS. GET THEM ON THE BOOKS THEY GET CHALLENGED LET'S SEE WHAT HAPPENS. BUT AT THE AT LEAST WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING HERE.
SENATOR WHITMEYERS LEGISLATION THAT HOPEFULLY WILL GET PASS. THE EARLIEST THAT COULD GO INTO AFFECT IS SEPTEMBER 2023. THAT'S A LONG TIME. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEND A MESSAGE UT TODAY, TOMORROW, RIGHT NOW THIS IS HOW WE WANT THINGS DONE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
MAYBE WE CAN BE THE TREND SETTER FOR OTHER COUNTIES, AS WELL. THERE WAS A CASE THAT HAPPENED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO. THIS PERSON WAS IN CUSTODY FOR SEVERAL YEARS ON CAPITAL MURDER.
A $250,000 BOND. HE COULD NOT MAKE. WHILE IN CUSTODY HE WAS ALSO CHARGED FOR ANOTHER FELONY HARASSMENT OF A PUBLIC OFFICIAL. HE WRAPPED UP 90 PAGES OF INFRACTIONS WHICH GIVES YOU AN INDICATION HE WAS NOT GOING TO BEHAVE.
FOR WHATEVER REASON THIS PARTICULAR COURT REDUCED THE BOND OF A CAPITAL MURDER DEFENDANT FROM $250,000 TO $50,000. HE MADE THAT BOND.
I DON'T KNOW IF HE GOT OUT ON 5%, 2%? I DON'T KNOW IF HE GOT OUT ON 10%. BUT WHEN THE BOND WAS REDUCED HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT.
SEVEN MONTHS LATER WHILE SPEEDING AND RUNNING THROUGH A RED LIGHT HE ALLEGEDLY KILLED A 23-YEAR-OLD TSU STUDENT NAMED SUMMER CHESTER. WHETHER OR NOT 10% I DON'T KNOW.
THESE ARE CASES THAT WE SEE. I HAVE SEEN IN MY DOCUMENTATION. OVER 150 DEFENDANTS RELEASED ON MULTIPLE FELONY BONDS THAN CHARGED WITH MURDER. HOW MANY YOU LET OUT ON MORE
THAN 10%? I DON'T KNOW. >> THANK YOU.
I AM THE MOTHER OF A MURDERED SON. I COME REPRESENTS THE VILLAGE OF MOTHER AND FATHERS. FORGET ABOUT THIS SHIRT THIS IS EXTRA STUFF I DO.
WHEN YOU LOSE A CHILD YOU ARE EVERYWHERE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
TO TRY TO MAKE PEOPLE IN POSITION TO HEAR YOUR PAIN AND TO UNDERSTAND.
IF YOU'RE IN A POSITION TO MAKE CHANGES YOU NEED TO DO IT. AGAIN, THIS 10% IT SHOULD BE A NO-BRAINER. WE GOT THE CALL ABOUT THE MURDER OF OUR CHILD, THE FUNERAL HOME DON'T WANT A 10% THEY WANT ALL THEIR MONEY. THE MOTORCADE COME UP TO YOUR HOUSE AND THAT LIMB SEEN PICKS YOU UP TO TAKE YOU TO CEMETERY TO SEE YOUR KYLED.
YOUR CHILD IS STRETCHED OUT IN A CHURCH. EVEN THE PASTOR WANTS HIS MONEY.
THE PERSON THAT SINGS WANTS THEIR MONEY. THIS IS THE AT LEAST WE CAN DO.
YOU THINK ABOUT, YEAH, WE'RE HERE. WE'RE SURVIVORS.
WE MADE IT. BUT HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THE BODY LAYING INSIDE THE MORGUE?
[02:35:04]
IT'S BIGGER THAN WHAT YOU SEE. FOR YOU, SIR, I'VE SEEN YOUR PARENTS OF MURDERED CHILDREN.FOR YOU TO SIT HERE AND SAY WHAT YOU SAID IT BLEW ME AWAY. I CANNOT BELIEVE YOU SAID WHAT YOU SAID. THAT DOESN'T MAKE US FEEL BETTER.
FEEL BETTER? DOESN'T MAKE US HAPPY. IF THAT WAS TO HAPPEN THEY SAY YOU'RE ANGRY OR GET PUSHED TO A POINT THE TRUENESS COMES OUT OF YOUR HEART.
YOU'VE BEEN THERE AND SEEN THE FAMILIES HURT AND CRY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS TO YOU ALL YOU HAVE IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS YOU CAN DO. WE WAS TO RETALIATE AND GO ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE FENCE BECAUSE WE'RE GRIEVING. WE WANT JUSTICE FOR LOVED ONES THEY WOULD HAVE A PLAN FOR US. THEY WOULD HAVE A PLAN FOR YOU. ALL WE HAVE IS WHAT THE LAW SAYS. WHEN YOU'RE GOING THROUGH THIS SYSTEM IT'S NOT JUSTICE FOR LOVED ONES IT'S WHAT WE CAN TOUCH AND FEEL. WHAT WE CAN TOUCH AND FEEL.
THAT'S WHY WE SHOW UP AND CONTINUE TO SHOW UP TO MAKE VOICES HEARD.
THE PERSON THE MEDICAL EXAMINER HAD TO COME PICK UP WAS IN THE MORGUE AND NOW THEY ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE CEMETERY. WHAT ABOUT THE VICTIM? AND IF THAT'S THE LEAST WE CAN DO TO START SOMEWHERE LIKE HE SAID START SOMEWHERE. WHAT DOES IT HURT? WE GOT A LIFETIME SENTENCE THAT WE STILL HAVE TO WALK OUT OF HERE AND STILL HAVE THE SAME PAIN FOR THE REST OF OUR LIFE. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE. THIS IS A HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUE.
WHEN THE LAW SAYS AND THE JUDGE, WHEN YOU SIT IN THAT BENCH AND LOOK AT THE JUDGE AND HAVE YOUR DA AND DEFENSE ATTORNEY SOMEBODY HAS TO DO SOMETHING. THE JUDGE SAYS YOU HAVE 10% TO PAY THAT'S ALL YOU GOT TO GO ON. THEN WE ARE SO TIRED OF WHEN YOU HEAR IT AND THEY DON'T GET IT.
IT'S ARE YOU KIDDING ME? YOU FIND OUT AFTER THE FACT BUT THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME ON
BEHALF OF VICTIMS AND THOSE NOT HERE. >> I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY. PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THIS AND SINCE THERE'S MANY PEOPLE PRESENT YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IF SOMEONE HAS A PROTECTIVE ORDER THAT IS VIOLATED NO BOND IS AN OPTION.
I APPLAUD EVERYONE'S EFFORTS TO ENTER INTO THE CONVERSATION AND KEEP LEARNING A LITTLE BIT AT A TIME AS TO WHEN CERTAIN LAWS APPLY IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN
UNRAVELLING THE ISSUES OF THE DAY. >> THANK YOU.
ALL WE CAN DO IS GROW AS A COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>>>GOOD AFTERNOON BOARD AND CHAIRWOMAN. I'M PRESIDENT OF LOCAL COUNCIL 4967. WE'VE BEEN HERE FOR A LONG TIME. WE'RE TIRED AND THIRTY.
I WANT TO COMMEND THE FAMILIES HERE. WENDY, PAUL AND THE OTHER PARENT THAT'S HERE. THERE ARE MANY MOTHERS NOT HERE WHO HAVE LOST VICTIMS. I HAVE NEVER TOLD THIS STORY BEFORE. MY NIECE WAS RUNNED OVER AND KILL WHEN SHE WAS THREE YEARS OLD. TO THIS DAY THEY NEVER FOUND THE KILLER. MY SISTER LIVES WITH THAT AGONY EVERY DAY.
PERHAPS THAT'S WHY THE LORD BROUGHT THESE PEOPLE, ME TO THEM.
BECAUSE THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT HERE TO SPEAK. LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.
MY BEAUTIFUL WIFE IS HERE. WE'RE THAT CLOSE OF MOVING OUT OF HOUSTON.
HE TELLS ME ALL THE TIME WE HAVE TO MOVE. THERE'S SO MUCH CRIME.
MY BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER AND GRAND KIDS I DON'T SEE THEM BECAUSE TODAY MOVED BECAUSE OF THE CRIME IN OUR CITY. I LOVE HOUSTON. BUT LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING.
IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO MY GRANDDAUGHTER IF HOUSTON BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED THREE BLOCKS FROM MY HOUSE. I'M USUALLY A NICE GUY. THEY KNOW ME.
BUT I'LL BE HELL ON EARTH AND HELL ON WHEELS. I'LL BE HERE EVERY DAY TO FIGHT FOR ONE PIECE OF LEGISLATION, ONE POLICY THAT CAN SAVE AT LEAST ONE LIFE.
LET ME JUST SAY ONE THING. WE'RE ALWAYS IN THE WORLD OF REACTING TO TRAGEDY.
THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE PROACTIVE. IT'S A SMALL STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. BE PROACTIVE. WE CANNOT AFFORD THE LOSS OF MORE BEAUTIFUL CHILD. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER CHILD LOST.
DO THE RIGHT THING. I APPEAL TO YOU AND REMEMBER THIS IS HOLY WEEK.
REMEMBER, DO THE RIGHT THING. BLESS EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU. >>>>>>I'M PAUL CASTRO.
[02:40:37]
[INAUDIBLE] MY SON DAVID CASTRO WAS MURDERED JULY 6TH BY A FELON.A FELON WHO SHOULD STILL BE IN JAIL BUT INSTEAD OUT ON A BOND TODAY.
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR TAKING THE TIME TO WORK WITH ME AND OTHER FAMILIES TO COME UP WITH A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. THE QUESTION WAS ASKED, WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? 63 PEOPLE WERE MURDERED LAST YEAR.
63 WERE MURDERED BY PEOPLE WHO WERE OUT ON BOND. 2200 VIOLENT OFFENSES OCCURRED IN 2021 BY PEOPLE OUT ON VIOLENT BOND. MY SON WAS MURDERED JULY 6TH.
ON AUGUST 3RD HIS MURDER WAS ARRESTED AND I FELT BETTER. I THOUGHT 35 THOUSAND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH THAT FOR HIM TO GET OUT. THAT'S OKAY.
THE WOMAN WHO RUNS THE BAIL BOND COMPANY THAT YOU QUESTIONED TODAY, HER BAIL BOND COMPANY RELEASED MY SON'S KILLER. I PROMISE YOU I WILL BET MY LIFE IT WAS NOT FOR $35,000.
ON SEPTEMBER 24TH VINE NETWORK CALLED ME AN AUTOMATED VOICE CALLED ME ON THE WAY TO MY SON'S FOOTBALL. WHERE MY OTHER SON SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLAYING IN THE BOND AND I GOT AN AUTOMATED CALL TELLING ME MY SON'S KILLER WAS RELEASED ON BOND.
I HAD TO PULL OVER I WAS SO PISSED. I DID NOT KNOW I WAS GOING TO MAKE IT THROUGH THAT NIGHT. MY FRIENDS TOOK MY KEYS AWAY TO PREVENT ME FROM DOING SOMETHING STUPID. THAT MAN WHO KILLED MY SON WAS NOT EVEN PUT ON AN ANKLE BRACELET BECAUSE THE RULES Y'ALL ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DO NOT REQUIRE A PERSON BAILED OUT ON FRIDAY NIGHT TO GET AN ANKLE MONITOR. MY FRIENDS WOULD NOT LET ME GET A GUN TO PROTECT MYSELF, TO PROTECT THE FAMILY, BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID OF WHAT I WOULD DO WITH IT. BECAUSE THE RULES SET BY THIS BOND COMMITTEE UNDER SECTION THAT STATES THIS COUNTYING BAIL BOND BOARD SHALL SUPERVISE AND REGULATE EACH PHASE OF THE BONDING BUSINESS. I CALLED YOU JUDGE, MULTIPLE TIMES.
MY MOTHER CALLED YOU. YOU HAVE NOT RETURNED ANY CALLS. I WOULD HAVE LIKED TO OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN THIS IN PERSON YOU DID NOT HAVE THE COURTESY TO RESPOND TO ME.
OTHERS DID. I THANK THEM FOR THAT BUT I WAS NOT ABLE TO EXPLAIN TO YOU.
YOU POP BACK ON US ALL DAY AND THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR
COMMENTS. >>>THERE'S NOT MUCH MORE THAT I CAN ADD TO THIS CONVERSATION OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN THESE FAMILIES HOMES AS THEY ARE GRIEVING. IT REALLY DOES TAKE A LOT FOR THEM TO COME HERE TODAY.
I WISH IT WASN'T SO. I WISH THE FIRST THING I EXPRESSED TO DIAMOND'S MOM IS WHAT I EXPRESSED TO MANY FAMILIES. I WISH WE WOULD HAVE MET UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. NOT WHEN THERE'S SO MUCH PAIN GOING ON.
THEY ARE HERE AND THEY ARE HERE BECAUSE THEY NEED ANSWERS. EVERYBODY LIKES TO QUOTE MARTIN LUTHER KING AND SO DO I. HE SAYS IN THE END WE WILL NOT REMEMBER THE WORDS OF ENEMIES BUT THE SILENCE OF OUFR FRIENDS. SOME OF YOU EXPRESSED YOU WILL ABSTAIN FROM THIS VOTE.
THAT WILL ONLY ADD TO THE SILENCE THESE FAMILIES FACE WHEN THEY GO HOME AND DON'T HAVE THEIR LOVED ONE THERE. I DON'T THINK THAT'S AN OPTION. THESE PEOPLE, THESE FAMILIES WANT AN ANSWER. THEY WANT AN ANSWER TODAY. NOT TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER EXPERT ADVICE. MR. GARSA SAYS ANYBODY CAN BE AN EXPERT AND AAGREE.
WE ARE EXPERTS ON HELPING FAMILIES. TO SIT HERE AND TELL THEM THIS NOT GOING TO FIX ANYTHING. WE ARE MAKING PLANS WITH THIS FAMILY AND MANY OTHER FAMILIES AS TO HOW WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THESE THINGS AND SADLY NOT FOR THEM.
BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO TO BRING THEIR FAMILY MEMBER BACK.
[02:45:04]
BUT THINK ABOUT WHAT THESE FAMILIES ARE DOING. THE ONLY THING THEY ARE TRYING TO DO IS KEEP ANOTHER FAMILY FROM FACING THE DEEP PAIN THEY HAVE FACED.I COMMEND, ONE AGAIN, THE FAMILIES FOR BEING HERE. I ENCOURAGE EVERY ONE OF YOU TO NOT ABSTAIN. NOT IS A NO. TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT AND TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP AND TO SAY WE NEED THIS. THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS TO SAY THAT THIS IS ONLY A DROP IF THE BUCKET. WHATEVER IT SAYS.
I ALWAYS EXPLAIN TO FOLKS THIS WAY AND MAYBE IN A WAY YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.
IF A PERSON IS DROWNING YOU DON'T SAY HEY, LET ME GO BUILD YOU A HOME AND LET ME FURNISH IT AND PUT CARPET AND GET YOU A NEW CAR. WHAT DO YOU DO? YOU JUMP IN THE RIVER AND SAVE THAT PERSON. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING WITH THIS 10%. JUMP IN THE RIVERS AND SAVE POTENTIALLY SAVE PEOPLE FROM FALLING VICTIM TO THE RISING CRIMES. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE WORKING TO BUILD THAT HOUSE SO NOBODY, WE'RE LOOKING AT THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE ARE FALLING IN THE RIVER TO BEGIN WITH WITH SO THAT NONE OF US ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION IN TEN YEARS.
I ENCOURAGE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU TO HAVE THE COURAGE TO STAND UP AND TO DO WHAT'S RIGHT BY THESE FAMILIES. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP COMING BACK. I GUARANTEE YOU THIS IS NOT THE LAST TIME YOU'LL SEE US OR THESE FOLKS BEHIND ME. AT THE END OF THE DAY THEY ARE READY TO FIGHT AND THEY ARE IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN. WE'RE TRYING TO WORK TO FIX THIS
SYSTEM. >>>THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>>>I'M ANNA. I'M THE MOTHER OF DIAMOND. SHE GOT SHOT 22 TIMES.
EXECUTED. NOT SHOT, EXECUTED. I WISH I HAD A PICTURE TO SHOW ALL THE DAMAGE THOSE 22 SHOTS DID. I DON'T KNOW YET.
ALL I SAW WAS ONE RIGHT HERE ON HER CHEEK. THAT'S WHAT I SAW.
I DIDN'T KNOW SHE WAS SHOT 22 TIMES. SHE DIED IN MY ARMS. EXCUSE ME, SIR. I'M TALKING. I NEED YOUR RESPECT.
PLEASE. THAT COMMENT YOU DID RIGHT NOW. IT WOULD MAKE ME HAPPY.
AND THE OTHER INTERVIEW YOU DID ABOUT YOU DON'T THINK 10% WOULD CHANGE VIOLENCE OR LOWER VIOLENCE. IT WILL. AND IF NOT 10% TELL ME HOW MUCH PERCENT WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE? NOT 10%?
>> ARE YOU ASKING ME? >> YOU WANT TO BE SARCASTIC.
I CAN BE SARCASTIC, TOO? >> NO. >> I'M ASKING HOW MUCH WOULD IT
TAKE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IF IT'S NOT 10%? >> I HAVE NO IDEA.
>> YOU HAVE NO IDEA. >> SO LOWER IS AN IDEA? LOWER THAN 10% IS HELPING? THEY GO LOWER. IT DOESN'T GO ANY 10% OR HIGHER. IT'S LESS THAN 10% THEY PAY.
THAT WORKS? >> I DON'T THINK ANY PERCENTAGE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
>> YOU DON'T THINK ANY PERCENT WILL HELP? >> HOLDING THE DEFENDANT IN JAIL 0 BOND WOULD WORK. THEY SHOULD NOT GET OUT. THE JUDGE SHOULD NOT GIVE THEM A BAIL AT ALL. VIOLENT OFFENDERS SHOULD STAY IN JAIL.
ABSOLUTELY. NO BAIL. I DON'T WANT TO MAKE MONEY ON IT AND NEITHER DO OTHER BONDSMEN. WE DON'T WARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.
>> LET'S DO IT. >> I WANT THEM TO STAY IN JAIL.
ZERO BOND, NO BAIL. ABSOLUTELY. >> WHAT'S NEXT?
I CAN WORK WITH YOU WITH THAT? >> THAT'S WHAT I WANT. >> LET'S WORK TOGETHER ON
THAT. CAN WE? >> IT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
>> YOU SEE. >> FINISH YOUR STATEMENT. OOIP LISTENING.
I WANT TO HEAR YOU. >>>I'M VOTING FOR THAT 10% AND VOTE FOR THAT 10%.
THERE'S NO PAYMENT PLAN. WHY IS HE GETTING A PAYMENT PLAN? WHY? OR LESS THAN 10%? IF SOMETHING WERE HAPPEN TO ONE OF YOUR FAMILY GOD FORBID WOULD YOU WORK ON THE 10% OR PAYMENT PLAN IF IT'S YOUR FAMILY MEMBER? I DON'T THINK SO. I DON'T THINK SO.
WHY DOES HE HAVE, HE SLEEPS IN A BED. MY DAUGHTER IS SIX FEET UNDER.
HE'S FOUR BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE HARASSING ME ALL THE TIME. FOUR BLOCKS AWAY FROM MY HOUSE.
AND HE'S RELEASED. IN LESS THAN 24 HOURS. IT'S NOT RIGHT.
IT IS NOT. I'D PROUDLY GET A PICTURE OF MY DAUGHTER WITH THOSE 22 SHOTS ON
HER BACK AND HEAD AND ON HER BODY SO YOU CAN ALL SEE. >> THANK YOU MA'AM.
[02:50:06]
>>>I'M THE FATHER OF DIAMOND. LIKE I SAID, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S GOING MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE ON ANYTHING. BUT ONE THING I DO KNOW IS THAT WHATEVER YOU GOING ON WITH THE 10% RIGHT NOW IS NOT WORKING. THE VULTURES ARE MAKING MONEY OFF OF IT RIGHT NOW.
WE'RE NOT. WE LOST MY DAUGHTER. COWARDLY, YES.
I HAD TO DIG OUT, FIND MONEY, SALE EVERYTHING JUST TO BURY HER.
THE BAILS BOND THEY MAKE MONEY. WE DIDN'T GET NOTHING. NOT EVEN HELP.
WH WHERE'S THE LAWS? WHO IS HELPING THE VICTIMS? WHO IS GOING TO PROTECT US? WE HAD A POLICE CAR OUTSIDE OUR HOUSE WHICH THE OTHER GUY THEY THREW BOTTLES AT THE POLICE CAR. THERE'S NO RESPECT FOR THE POLICE ANYMORE. HERE WE ARE BEGGING YOU GUYS TO, ASKING YOU GUYS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. NOT JUST FOR ME BUT FOR EVERYBODY.
10% MAY NOT BE MUCH FOR YOU GUYS BUT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE LIKE ME I WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY.
I GO TO WORK. 10% MAY NOT BE A LOT BUT I DON'T GO AROUND KILLING PEOPLE OR TAKING OTHER KIDS. MY DAUGHTER GOT KILLED, EVERY WEEK OR EVERY OTHER DAY A CHILD GETS KILLED HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. ALL EVERYBODY DOES, THE VULTURES THEY GET THEM OUT. THEY CAN GO KILL SOMEBODY. THEY MAKE MONEY AND EVERYBODY ELSE GETS HURT. WE'RE HERE TO CHANGE IT AND THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN DO THAT IS YOU GUYS. WE ARE ASKING YOU GUYS. PLEASE, HELP EVERYBODY OUT.
I'M NOT EVEN ASKING YOU I'M BEGGING YOU. ANOTHER KID IS GOING TO GET KILLED. JUST WATCH THE NEWS AND YOU'RE GOING TO SEE IT.
I'VE BEEN WATCHING THE NEWS EVRY SINGLE DAY. I NEVER USE TO WATCH THE NEWS BEFORE. NOW I WATCH IT EVERY SINGLE DAY. I TELL HER LOOK, ANOTHER KID.
LOOK, ANOTHER KID. LOOK IT UP FOR YOURSELVES. Y'ALL SEE IT.
REPEAT OFFENDERS KEEP KILLING KIDS. NOT EVEN ADULTS ANYMORE.
KIDS. ELEVEN YEAR OLDS OR TWELVE YEAR OLDS.
UNDER FIFTEEN AND THEY ARE GETTING OUT. THE ONLY ONES MAKING MONEY IS THE BAILS BOND PEOPLE. WE DON'T KNOW WHO MAKES THE BAIL BONDS BUT WE KNOW BHO IS SELLING THEM AND WHO IS GETTING OUT. WHERE IS THE LAW? WHERE IS OUR PROTECTION FOR HOUSTON? WHERE IS OUR PROTECTION? WE AS THE PEOPLE.
WE ARE NOT GETTING IT. NOWHERE. WE'RE ASKING YOU GUYS, BEGGING YOU TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND SUPPORT THE 10%. THANK YOU.
>>>HI. I'M WENDY ALVAREZ. ARLENE'S MOM.
I WRITTEN DOWN A BIG SPEECH BUT DECIDED NOT TO READ IT. I'M GOING TO SPEAK FROM A MOTHERS POINT OF VIEW. I HAVE NOT GOING TO COME UP HERE.
I'VE NEVER BEEN THROUGH THIS SITUATION. WE HAVE NEVER BURIED ANYBODY IN MY FAMILY AND WE STARTED WITH MY DAUGHTER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.
I'M NOT GOING TO LIE TO YOU. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE AND OTHER KIDS LIVES. IT'S SO SAD I'M ATTRACTING THE SAME STORY AND NOBODY GETS HEARD OF. ME, THAT I KNOW WHO MY KILLER IS. LIVES SIX MINUTES AWAY FROM WHERE WE LIVE.
THE OTHER DAY WE WENT TO GO EAT AND TWO AFRICAN AMERICAN MALES WERE STARING AT US.
RECORDING US. I WAS SHAKING AND I WAS SCARED FOR MY LIFE.
I TOLD MY HUSBAND HOW DO I KNOW IF THEY ARE CHASING US DOWN? WE'RE NOT PROTECTING OUR KILLER WE'RE PROTECTING MY DAUGHTER. THAT DAY, THE SAME WEEK, MY DAUGHTERS BIRTHDAY IS IN MAY. WE HAD ARRANGED HER A BEAUTIFUL BIRTHDAY PARTY.
[INAUDIBLE] CHOOSING HER COLOR CASKET, CHOOSING HER FLOWERS BECAUSE OF THESE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTS. IT'S NOT FAIR BECAUSE THEY ARE MAD.
THEY ARE TRYING TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THE
[02:55:03]
COMMUNITY. I'VE NEVER SEEN SO MANY DEAD PEOPLE ON A DAILY BASE SIS.IT SHATS ME PEOPLE CANNOT DRIVE BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING SHOT AT.
THAT IS SO SAD. THE MORE PEOPLE WORK ON THIS CASE THE MORE WE ARE ABLE TO DO A CHANGE. MAKE A CHANGE. DON'T DO IT FOR MY DAUGHTER.
DO IT FOR THE COMMUNITY. HOUSTON WE COME TOGETHER AS A WHOLE ONE.
I FEEL IF WE ALL PUT OUR $0.02 IN WE'LL MAKE A CHANGE. I GO BACK TO MY SON.
HE CAN'T HEAR A BALLOON BECAUSE HE GETS SCARED. LATELY HE'S BEEN IN OUR BED EVERY DAY BECAUSE HE'S SCARED. HE'S ALWAYS ASKING ME WHY DID THE KILLER KILL MY SISTER.
DID HE HATE ANY SISTER? IS HE GOING TO KILL ME? IT'S A TRAUMA WE LIVE THROUGH ON A DAILY BASIS. I'M TRYING TO PROTECT A LOT OF KIDS.
A LOT OF PEOPLE. MY PARENTS. EVERYBODY.
I ASK YOU TO PLEASE TAKE THE KNOWLEDGE TO REALLY, IF 10% IS NOT ENOUGH FOR YOU I'M WITH YOU ON THAT. I AGREE. BUT IF WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE AND START ON SOMETHING I SALUTE YOU FOR THAT. THANK YOU.
>>>SEEING NO ONE ELSE IN LINE FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. PUB LYNN COMMENTS ARE CLOSED.
WE ARE OPEN FOR DISCUSSION ON THE BOARD AS TO AGENDA ITEM 12 AND AS TO ANY PROPOSALS OR
MOTIONS WITH RESPECT THERE TO. >> RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU WANT TO TALK.
>> MICHAEL BUTERA VPT I OFFER WHAT I HOPE WOULD BE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE MAYBE SOME THINGS THAT DID NOT GET INCLUDED. ATTEMPT MURDER HAS PLACE ON THIS LIST. AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT CAME UP THE LAST TIME. IT IS CERTAINLY A VIOLENT AND SERIOUS OFFENSE THAT CARRIES THE SAME TYPE OF PUNISHMENT RANGE AS ATTEMPTED MURDER. BURGLARY OF HABITATION.
IF IT'S DONE WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A SERIOUS VIOLENT OR SEXUAL OFFENSE.
SIMILAR TO THE LANGUAGE IN THE FIRST PARAGRAPH THERE. THEN FOURTH, ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIME. LIKEWISE, IF IT'S DONE WITH THE INTENT TO COMMIT A SERIOUS VIOLENT OR SEXUAL OFFENSE. LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS WHICH WE HAD SOME TIME TO DO.
WE WERE ABLE TO REVIEW THE PROSEW SAL SINCE LAST MONTH. THAT INCLUDES IN 2021 SOMETHING LIKE NEARLY 3500 CASES. I THINK THOSE WOULD BE GOOD CANDIDATES FOR INCLUSION TO EVEN EXPAND THE LIST THAT'S HERE. BASED ON THAT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION.
>> I SECOND IT. >> THERE HASN'T BEEN A MOTION YET.
>> THE MOTION TO LINE IT OUT RATHER THAN, MAKE A MOTION TO ADD IN ADDITION TO THE LIST OF 13 OFFENSES A 14, 15, 16 AND 17 OFFENSE AS FOLLOWS. NUMBER 14 WOULD BE ATTEMPTED MURDER. ALL THE OTHER SECTIONS HAVE STATUTE NUMBERS WITH ATTEMPT
IT'S A LITTLE DIFFICULT. 1501 OF THE PENAL CODE. >> I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE
REFERRING TO THE DOCUMENT ATTACHED CALLED GRAPH? >> YES.
I'M REFERRING BACK, I'M ASSUMING WE'RE OPERATING WITH THAT AS THE STARTING POINT FOR DISCUSSION
TODAY. >> I THINK TECHNICALLY JUDGE MARSHAL SUBMITTED A MOTION IN WRITING. SHE BEAT ME TO IT BUT I THINK IT'S THE SAME THING.
>> OKAY. OPERATING WITH THAT AS A STARTING POINT.
14 ATTEMPTED MURDER. 15, SECTION 22.02 IN PARENTHESES AGGRAVATED ASSAULT.
NUMBER 16, BURGLARY OF HABITATION WITH INTENT TO COMMIT A SERIOUS VIOLENT OR SEXUAL OFFENSE. THN NUMBER 17 ENGAGING IN ORGANIZED CRIME INVOLVING A SERIOUS VIOLENT OR SEXUAL OFFENSE. THAT'S THE SUBSTANCE OF MY
MOTION. >> I SECOND THAT. >> JUDGE MARSH.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. >> I THINK -- MY CONTENTION WAS TO PUT IT BACK ON AND VOTE ON THIS TODAY LIKE IT IS. IF WE'RE ADDING THESE AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ADD AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO IT THAT WE'RE
[03:00:06]
ADDING MORE THINGS, MORE MEAT TO IT. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. IF WE ALL HAVE TO VOTE NOW ON WHETHER OR NOT TO INCLUDE THESE.
RIGHT? >> NO WE DON'T. HE MADE A MOTION WITH THOSE ITEMS ADDED. THAT'S BEEN SECONDED. WE HAVE A MOTION AND SEC ON THE FLOOR. WE HAVE DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY. MY INTENT IS NOT TO INCREASE TIME OR DELAY.
IT'S TO STRENGTHEN AND BUILD ON THE PROPOSAL BROUGHT LAST MONTH. WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I EXPRESSED LAST MONTH. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE RULE, TO WORK WITH MEMBERS ON THE BOARD AND TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE AND ANSWER QUESTIONS.
A LOT OF ISSUES HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. THIS WAS SOMETHING WE WERE COMING BACK TO THE TABLE WITH IN AN EFFORT TO STRENGTHEN AND BUILD ON THE PROPOSAL AS IT WAS SUGGESTED. NOT ANY EFFORT TO DELAY. I FULLY INTEND TO MOVE FOR PIENL
PASSAGE OF THE RULE TODAY, AS WELL. >>>A MOTION AND SECOND AND
DISCUSSION ON THE MOTION. >> THAT WAS MY DISCUSSION. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.
DOES ANYONE THINK IT WOULD BE LESS LIKELY TO PASS CONSTITUTIONAL MUSTER IF WE OFFER A PARTIAL LIST OF CRIMES VERSUS APPLYING TO ALL CRIMES? BECAUSE, OBVIOUSLY, ANYTHING THAT WE DO HAS TO CONFORM TO THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION, THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND CURRENT APPLICABLE LAW AS IS APPARENT ANY LAWSUIT PROFESSOR OR LICENSE ATTORNEY WOULD RECOGNIZE.
>> ALL THOSE THINGS HAVE BEEN VETTED. >> I SEE AN EQUAL PROTECTION PROBLEM HERE. AS AN OPINION, OF COURSE. THAT'S JUST UP FOR DISCUSSION.
HOW DO YOU MAKE CERTAIN CLIENTS PAY 10% AND OTHERS WON'T HAVE TO.
I SEE THAT AS AN ISSUE. ONE OF THE LEGAL ISSUES. >> MR. CHAIRMAN I HAVE AN
ANSWER. >> IT'S OKAY. AS SOON AS HE FINISHES.
>> THE ANSWER TO THE QUESTION IS ANSWERED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT WHICH STATED WHEN IT PASSED THE RESOLUTION IT WANTED THIS TO APPLY TO SERIOUS VIOLENT AND OR SEXUAL FELONIES.
YOU KNOW, THE COURTS CAN SORT IT OUT. AS SOMEONE WHO HAD A HAND IN THIS AND PRACTICE CRIMINAL LAW 30 YEARS. I'M NOT AS LEARNED AS SOME OF THE OTHERS HERE BUT WE'RE GOING WITH IN DRAFTING THAT THE WILL OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
THERE ARE MREB PLENTY OF PLACES IN THE LAW WHERE THERE ARE CARVE OUTS FOR CERTAIN TYPES OF FELONIES. EVEN IN RULES. THAT'S JUST THE ANSWER.
THAT'S WHY THAT'S BEING DONE THAT WAY. >> MAY I BE RECOGNIZED?
>> YES. I BELIEVE EVERYONE IN THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.
I AM NOT THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE LEGAL COMMUNITY BUT I HAVE AN EXTENSIVE BACKGROUND IN THE LAW. WHEN QUESTIONS OF APPLICABILITY AND ENFORCEABILITY COME UP IN AN IDEA. I'LL SAY AN IDEA. WE LOOK AT, AS A CITIZEN, AS A REGULAR PERSON, WHAT ARE WE LOOKING AT? A STATUTE? ARE WE LOOKING AT A LOCAL RULE? ARE WE LOOKING AT A RESOLUTION? ARE WE LOOKING AT AN ORDNANCE? ARE WE LOOKING AT THE WILL OF SOME PEOPLE OR THE WILL OF ALL PEOPLE? I BELIEVE THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS BROUGHT ABOUT MANY VALUABLE QUESTIONS AND I BELIEVE EVERYONE WOULD AGREE NOT ALL OF THE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, WHICH IS ONE REASON WHY SOME BOARD MEMBERS HAVE SUGGESTED TO ASK FOR AN AG'S OPINION AS PART OF INFORMING THE PUBLIC AS TO THE TRUTH AS IT RELATES TO THE LAW AND THE CONSTITUTION. MY QUESTION, AGAIN, IS WILL BE ANSWERED IN TIME. I DON'T EXPECT EVERYONE TO HAVE AN ANSWER TODAY.
CERTAINLY IT MIGHT BE AN ISSUE IF ANYONE DECIDES TO CHERRY PICK CERTAIN LAWS TO APPLY TO LOCAL RULE WITHOUT FIRST GOING TO THE LEGISLATURE. BUT NEVERTHELESS, IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN. IF ANYONE HAS ANY FEEDBACK ABOUT THAT PROVIDE IT AT THIS TIME.
IF YOUR ANSWER IS I DON'T KNOW PERHAPS WE WILL EXPLORE THAT AT A LATER TIME.
>> ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM ANYBODY ON THE BOARD? I'M GOING SAY A COUPLE OF THINGS THEN WE'LL TAKE A VOTE. THIS QUESTION HAS BEEN ASKED MULTIPLE TIMES.
WHO DO WE GO O TO? WHAT DO WE DO TO FIX IT? SENATOR AND OTHERS MADE IT
[03:05:06]
CLEAR. THE REMEDY FOR THIS FOR THE PROBLEMS THAT EXIST IN SOME RESPECTS IS THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, THE GOVERNORS OFFICE.THE REASON THIS ISSUE IS BEFORE THIS BOARD IS BECAUSE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BY LAW, ARE PROHIBITED FROM PASSING REGULATIONS. WE ARE ALLOWED UNDER THE OCCUPATIONS CODE NOT UNDER SOME GENERAL GRANT OF AUTHORITY, TO REGULATE THE LICENSING BUSINESS OF BONDSMEN. WE DON'T HAVE, IN MY OPINION, A BROAD STROKE TO START DECIDING HOW MUCH BONDSMEN CAN CHARGE, HOW MUCH SECURITY THEY HAVE TO HAVE OR THOSE ASPECTS.
WE REGULATE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE COMPLYING WITH STATUTES PASSED BY THE LEGISLATURE.
WE DON'T GET TO ENACT STATUTES OR ORDNANCES. WE GET TO ENACT RULES.
IN MY OPINION, THE TRANSPORTATION CODE CHAPTER 1704 DOES NOT COME CLOSE TO GIVING US THE AUTHORITY TO PASS THE PROPOSAL BEFORE THIS BOARD. AS I TOLD, I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS HERE THE LAST TIME AND WHO WASN'T. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN.
FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO BELIEVE THIS GOING TO BE A FIX FOR ANYTHING THAT IS HAPPENED TO YOUR FAMILIES FOR WHICH I HAVE GREAT SYMPATHY OR ANYTHING THAT MAY HAPPEN TO OTHER FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE. WHO IS ACCUSED KILLERS, HARMERS, ROBBERS, ET CETERA RELEASED ON BAIL. THIS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. IT PASSES AND GOES INTO AFFECT OR PASSES AND DOES NOT. IT'S BEEN MADE CLEAR ALREADY IF SOMETHING LIKE THIS PASSES THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT FILED IMMEDIATELY. THIS DOES NOT GO INTO AFFECT FOR TEN DAYS, ANYWAYS. IT IS LIKELY IN MY VIEW INJUKTIVE RELIEF WOULD BE GRANDED AND THIS PUT ON HOLD. WE KNOW HOW LONG LITIGATION TAKES.
IT IS IN MY VIEW FAR MORE LIKELY THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE COMES UP WITH WHATEVER SOLUTION THEY BELIEVE IS APPROPRIATE WHICH IS THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO DO IT BEFORE LITIGATION ENDS.
BE THAT AS IT MAY, I WISH THAT A TRULY POLITICAL BODY HAD THE POWER TO MAKE THIS DECISION.
THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES IS COMMISSIONERS COURT. THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD THAT ARE ELECTED TO BE ON THIS BOARD AND FOR NO OTHER PURPOSE ARE MYSELF AND THE BAIL BONDSMAN REPRESENTATIVE AND WE'RE ELECTED BY A SMALL MINORITY OF THE POPULATION.
WE'RE NOT ELECTED BY THE GENERAL POPULATION. EVERYBODY ELSE ON THIS BOARD IS ELECT PUBLIC OFFICIAL THAT HAS OTHER JOBS AND DUTIES OUD OF THIS BOARD.
IN SOME RESPECT SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS CONFLICT. ONE OF TWO THINGS IS TRUE.
EITHER THIS IS GOING TO MAKE NO DIFFERENCE IN A MEANINGFUL WAY ABOUT WHO GETS OUT, IN WHICH CASE THIS IS MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. OR IT'S GOING TO AFFECT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN WHICH CASE A LOT OF PEOPLE REMAIN IN JAIL OVER THIS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT LOOK AT SPENDING MILLIONS IF NOT TENS OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INCARCERATING THOSE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE. THAT IS A POLITICAL DECISION FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE.
IF WE PASS THIS AND IT CAUSES THAT THEY NO LONGER HAVE A CHOICE IN THAT BECAUSE THIS WILL PREVENT, IT'LL TAKE THEIR OPTIONS AWAY. OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S GOING TO FACE THEM TODAY BUT MAYBE DOWN THE ROAD. GO TO THE LEGISLATURE NEXT SESSION. THAT'S WHERE THIS BELONGS. I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION THAT'S ON THE TABLE TO REQUIRE THAT 100% OF THE BOND AMOUNT BE PAID TO
PREMIUM OF THE BAIL BONDSMAN. >> ARE YOU AMENDING HIS? >> I'M MAKING A MOTION TO AMEND HIS MOTION TO REQUIRE 100% OF THE BOND AMOUNT SET BY A JUDGE BE REQUIRED TO BE PAID TO BONDSMEN AS PREMIUM. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS LET'S DO IT THAT WAY.
>> I SECOND. >> AND THAT RIGHT THERE IS THE WHOLE ISSUE.
ARE WE GOING TO VOTE ON? >> WE VOTE FIRST ON MY AMEND.
IF IT PASSES IT'S THE REST OF THE MOTION. >> I CALL THE QUESTION.
>> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? >> YES, THERE IS. >> MAY I SUGGEST YOU TAKE
MOTIONS IN ORDER. >> I'M GOING TO. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ON MY
MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION PENDING? >> YES.
>> WE'RE DECIDING TO AMEND, YES OR NO >> >> GO AHEAD.
>> POINT OF ORDER. DID WE VOTE ON THE -- >> WE HAVEN'T.
I'M AMENDING THE POSED FINAL RULE BEFORE VOTING ON A FINAL RULE.
>> HE WAS ADDING ADDITIONAL OFFENSES TO IT. >> HIS MOTION INCLUDES ALL
THE ADDITIONAL OFFENSES. >> BUT IT HASN'T BEEN APPROVED.
[03:10:05]
>> IT HASN'T BEEN VOTED ON AT ALL. >> THAT'S ALL HE WAS DOING
WAS ADDING ADDITIONAL THINGS. >> HE WASN'T JUST DOING THAT.
HE MADE THE MOTION. IT IS HIS MOTION. >> TO ADD.
>> NO. NOT TO ADD ANYTHING. IT'S MR. BUTERA'S MOTION.
>> I AM MOVING TO AMEND THE MOTION ON THE TABLE TO REQUIRE INSTEAD OF 10% TO BE 100%.
>> I DO, TOO. >> DON'T BE DIVERTED BY THE LEDGER DOMAIN HERE.
IF WE PASS THIS TO REQUIRE 100% OF A PREMIUM BEFORE ANYBODY GETS OUT OF JAIL THAT WILL BE FOUND UNCONSTITUTIONAL UNDER THE LAW AND ANYBODY THAT'S BEEN TO THE LEGISLATURE KNOWS THAT ONE WAY TO TAKE CARE OF A PROPOSAL THAT PEOPLE OPPOSE IS TO TRY TO STINK IT UP.
SENATOR WHIT MEYER IS HERE. >> YOU AIN'T FOOLING NOBODY. HE GUTS IT.
ONE OF THE SPEAKERS SAID GO FOR IT 20, 30, 40%. ONE OF THE PEOPLE OUT HERE SAID
THAT. LET'S KEEP GOING. >> WE'RE NOT INTERACTING WITH THE AUDIENCE. THE PUBLIC COMMENTS ARE OVER. THERE WAS A SECOND ON MY MOTION TO AMEND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR OF MOTION TO AMEND THE MOTION ON THE TABLE SAY I.
OPPOSED. >> OKAY. ANY EXTENSIONS? LET'S DO THIS. I VOTED FOR IT. JUDGE MARTIN VOTE FOR IT.
>> I VOTED FOR IT. >> CAN WE GO AROUND, PLEASE. LET DO IT THIS WAY.
THIS IS ON MY MOTION. >> I HAVE A POINT OF QUESTION.
HOW DO WE VOTE ON YOUR MOTION WHEN MY MOTION OR HIS MOTION HAVE NOT EVEN BE VOTED ON AND
THEY WERE ON THE TABLE FIRST? >> HERE'S HOW. IF MY MOTION PASSES WE VOTE ON 100%. MY MOTION FAILED WE'RE VOTING ON 10%.
>> SHERIFF GONZALEZ, NO. >> DYLAN OS BORN, NO. >> LANE MARSHAL, NO.
>> MARIO GARZA, YES. >> MR. MCKINNEY MOTION REQUIRE 100%.
MICHAEL FROM THE DA'S OFFICE, NO. >> JUDGE BALDWIN I ABSTAIN.
>> CATHERINE CASE FOR JUDGE HILDAGO. NO.
>> THE MOTION FAILS. >> WE URGE MY ORIGINAL MOTION.
>> YOUR MOTION IS STILL ON THE TABLE. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON THE ORIGINAL MOTION? . WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE ON
IT. ALL IF FAVOR OF THE ORIGINAL. >> WE NEED TO SEE IF SHE
ACCEPTS HIS AMENDMENT. >> NO WE DON'T. THERE IS TO FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. >> THAT IS JUST FOR CLARIFICATION TO ADD FOUR OFFENSES TO WHAT WE'VE ALREADY PREVIOUSLY HAD IN FROM LAST WEEK?
>> ADD FOUR TO THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS ATTACHED TO OUR AGENDA LABELED DRAFT AT 10%.
THE ADDED FOUR ITEMS TO THAT AND MADE A MOTION TO HAVE ALL OF THAT PASS THE BOARD.
THAT WAS SECONDED BY THE SHERIFF. WE'RE GOING TO GO AROUND THE TABLE ON THE VOTES ON THIS. I DOUBT IT'S GOING TO BE EWE NAN NOWS EITHER WAY.
>> SHERIFF GONZALEZ YES. >> DILLON OZBORN, YES. >> JUDGE ELAINE MARSHAL YES.
>> MICHAEL PUTERA YES. >> FOR LEGALITIES EXPLORED. >> YES OR NO.
>> I ABSTAIN. >> MARTIN ABSTAIN. >> BALDWIN ABSTAIN.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> I COUNTED SIX IN FAVOR AND -- EXCUSE ME.
>> I COUNT 7. >> I SAID FOR THE PURPOSE EXPLORED IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS
FOR LEGALITIES YET UNANSWERED I RESPECTFULLY ABSTAIN. >> I COUNTED SIX IF FAVOR.
I COUNTED TWO ABSTENGSS AND TWO OPPOSED. THAT'S 12.
I COUNTED ONE TOO MANY. >> 6, 2, 3. 6 IN FAVOR, 2 OPPOSED.
3 ABSTAIN. ANYBODY DISPUTE THAT? >> NO.
>> IT PASSES. >> IT PASSED. [CLAPPING] WE'RE NOT DONE YET. WE ARE ITEM 12 IS COMPLETED. I'M GOING TO MOVE TO TABLE ITEM
[03:15:08]
13. >> I BELIEVE THAT WAS JUST ON THE MOTION TO AMEND.
>> NO. THAT WAS THE FINAL MOTION TO APPROVE.
IT'S BEEN APPROVED. >> IT WAS NOT. >> FOR CLARITY TAKE.
A MOTION FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF NUMBER 12 AS AMENDED JUST IN CASE THERE'S A QUESTION.
>> NO. >> WE TOOK TWO VOTES. FIRST WAS ON THE AMENDMENT WHICH FAILED. THE SECOND WAS ON THE MAIN MOTION WHICH PASSED.
>> IT'S GOING TO HAVE A HIGH LEVEL. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO
RECONSIDER ITEM 12. >> GO AHEAD. >> JUST FOR CLARIFY SAKE WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT AND TIME IN AND MANY PEOPLE HERE. IT'S GOING TO GET SCRUTINY GOING FORWARD. LET'S CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD. WE HAD AN AMENDMENT AND MOVE FOR FINAL PASSAGE. I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE FOR FINAL PASSAGE OF RULE 12 AS
AMENDED. GET A VOTE ON THE REPORT. >> THAT'S WHAT WE JUST DID.
>> I SECOND. >> I MISUNDERSTAND THAT, TOO.
I THOUGHT WE WERE JUST VOTING ON THE CHANGE AND COME BACK. >> WE WILL DO IT AGAIN TO BE CERTAIN WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. THE MOTION ON THE TABLE IS AS WRITTEN OUT IN THE DOCUMENT STYLED DRAFT, WHICH WAS ATTACHED TO OUR PACKET.
ALONG WITH THE ADDITIONAL FOUR ITEMS ADDED BY MR. BUTERA. IT WAS MOVED AND SECONDED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS DISCUSSION BUT IT'S STILL THERE. ON THAT MOTION, WHICH LET'S TAKE
ANOTHER VOTE TO BE SAFE. SHERIFF? >> YES.
>> YES. >> DILLON ASBORN. >> GARZA NO.
>> MARSHAL YES. >> MICHAEL, YES. >> JUDGE RODRIGUEZ FOR QUESTIONS OF LEGALITIES EXPLORED OVER THE PAST TWO MONTHS AND UNANSWERED QUESTION I ABSTAIN.
>> JUDGE MARTIN ABSTAIN. >> JUDGE BALDWIN AS A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTY
CRIMINAL COURTS WE WILL ABSTAIN. >> CATHERINE CASE FOR HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE, YES.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> TROY MCKINNEY VOTES NO. I COUNT THAT AS 6, 2, 3.
>> YES. >> SIX IN FAVOR, TWO OPPOSED.
THREE ABSTAINING. THE MOTION PASSES. [CLAPPING]
[B1. Consider adopting a new Section 19 to the Harris County Bail Bond Board Rules as follows]
>> THE ONLY REMAINING ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND SOMEBODY CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS THE
ITEM 12 WHICH WAS THINGS I M MR. -- PROPOSED PREVIOUSLY. >> IT'S ACTUALLY NUMBER 13.
>> IS ITEM 13 WHICH IS THINGS I PROPOSED. AT THIS TIME I MOVE TO TABLE
THOSE UNTIL IF NEXT MEETING. >> I SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR.
>> ANYBODY OPPOSED? >> I DO. I WOULD LIKE THE TAKE IT UP.
>> I TAKE IT UP. >> THEN VOTE AGAINST MOTION TABLE.
WHO IS VOTING AGAINST THE MOTION TO TABLE? 9 VOTES IN FAVOR 2 VOTES AGAINST THE MOTION TO TABLE. IT PASSES. EXCUSE ME.
WE HAVE A MEETING GOING ON. IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS ON THE AGENDA THAT NEEDS TO BE
TAKEN UP? >> IT'S ABOUT TABLING YOUR OLD BUSINESS.
>> THAT'S BEEN VOTED ON. >> MOVE TO ADJOURN. >> SECOND.
>>
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.