Hays County Expands Pretrial Bond Program

Staff Reports

On Tuesday, the Hays County Commissioners approved a contract with the Community Supervision and Corrections Department related to the Hays County Pretrial Bond Program.

According to the agenda, the Criminal Justice Commission Pretrial Services subcommittee has recommended the addition of a third pretrial bond officer to enhance the program.

When the program started in FY 16, the department oversaw 59 pretrial adult defendants. As of September 2020, the department has 870 pretrial adult defendants under its supervision.

The department is proposing the new officer at a salary of $57,217 with a total annual commitment in Fiscal Year 2021 of $175,080.

Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra noted that during the criminal justice summit he held in March 2019, everyone that touches the justice system as a whole participated.

“Everyone showed that willingness to step up in a way that [the CSCD] just described,” Becerra said. “And I’m humbled and grateful that the department is here today.”

Funding for this program including the additional officer was budgeted during the FY21 budget process.