Editor's note: The above video aired on July 30, 2019.
A federal judge has given final approval to a settlement in a lawsuit over the bail system in Texas' most populous county which ensures that most people accused of misdemeanor offenses don't languish in jail.
The bail system in Harris County had been deemed unconstitutional by U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal following a 2016 lawsuit alleging poor misdemeanor defendants stayed behind bars because of poverty.
In an opinion issued Thursday, Rosenthal wrote the settlement - announced in July - will help stop the county from “systematically depriving indigent misdemeanor defendants of their constitutionally-protected rights by detaining them simply because they cannot afford to post money bail.”
Some law enforcement officials argued the settlement doesn't do enough to ensure the safety of the public and crime victims.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued the following statement on the approval:
"For too long, residents in Harris County have been taken advantage of by a broken, unfair, and unconstitutional bail system. Today's decision by Judge Rosenthal puts to rest the arguments used to instill fear regarding impact of bail reform. We do not have to choose between protecting the constitutional rights of defendants and protecting public safety. In fact, by reforming our broken bail system, we are taking a step toward rebuilding trust between our system of justice and the residents it serves.
"Under bail reform, the guilty will still be held accountable for their actions, but the accused won't have their lives, livelihoods, and families torn apart because they are too poor to buy their freedom. As County Judge, I am proud to preside over a County that is leading the nation to make our criminal justice system smarter, fairer, and more cost effective. I want to thank Judge Rosenthal, the Judges of the Criminal Courts at Law, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Commissioner Rodney Ellis, and the many others who have worked so hard to improve our criminal justice system and for doing what is right."
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