In a bipartisan vote, Texas senators have overwhelmingly approved placing an amendment to the state constitution on the ballot in hopes that despite previous failures, this year’s House members will finish the job.
Sen. Joan Huffman’s (R-Houston) Senate Joint Resolution (SJR) 5, would give judges and magistrates the discretion to deny bail to defendants charged with 1st degree felony sexual offenses in which a weapon was involved or where serious bodily injury, violent offenses, or continuous trafficking of persons occurred. Judges or magistrates who deny bail would be required to issue a written order with findings of fact explaining why the defendant must be detained.
