Hays County District Judges Look To Reduce Jail Population During COVID-19 Crisis

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, March 18, the District Courts of Hays County issued formal orders regarding the cancelation of District Court proceedings and the release of eligible inmates due to the Coronavirus pandemic.

The orders are consistent with orders and recommendations of the Texas Supreme Court, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the Presiding Judge of the 3rd Administrative Region of Texas and the Texas Office of Court Administration. 

According to a press release from the Hays County District Court Judges, the goal of the orders is to practically and reasonably reduce the jail population as much as possible during the pendency of the disaster declaration. 

Officials said, “with few exceptions, all arrestees are constitutionally entitled to be bonded and released on reasonable bail; within 24-48 hours of most arrests, bonds are set and can be posted at any time.”

“Members of the Hays County Adult Community Supervision Department are screening the jail roster to identify arrestees who may post relatively lesser degrees of risk to the population and the community for the District Judges to review and consider for potential release–if the individual’s case cannot be resolved quickly,” the release said. 

According to the release, the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office and his staff will continue to evaluate cases, confer with defense counsel and seek to resolve many cases by plea agreements.

“Once again, the goal is to reduce the potential of COVID-19 exposure to lower-risk arrestees currently within the Hays County Jail who are likely otherwise to be released back into our community,” the release said.

The full release, which was signed by all five Hays County District Judges, can be read below.