Beto O'Rourke Wants to Make Texans Less Safe by Ending Cash Bail

Press Release

"While Governor Abbott has fought to keep violent criminals behind bars, Beto O'Rourke wants them to run free while awaiting trial, making Texas communities less safe." -- Mark Miner, Communications Director

Last Year Governor Abbott Signed Legislation Mandating Cash Bail For Anyone Charged With A Violent Crime:

In September 2021 Governor Abbott Signed Legislation Requiring "People Accused Of Violent Crimes To Put Up Cash To Get Out Of Texas Jails." "Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday signed into law sweeping GOP-led bail legislation that requires people accused of violent crimes to put up cash to get out of Texas jails. Senate Bill 6 was passed by the Texas Legislature last month, after Abbott declared changes to the state's bail system an emergency at the beginning of the state's regular legislative session that began in January." (Jolie McCullough, "Texas Bill To Require Cash Bail For Those Accused Of Violent Crimes Becomes Law," Texas Tribune, 9/13/21)

The Legislation, Dubbed "The Damon Allen Act," Is Named After A State Trooper Who Was Slain By A Man Released From Jail On Bond. "Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bail bill into law Monday requiring people accused of violent crimes to pay cash to get out of jail. Senate Bill 6, dubbed "the Damon Allen Act' in honor of slain State Trooper Damon Allen, bars a person from being released on a personal recognizance bond -- a no-cash bond -- if charged with certain crimes. Those include violent or sexual crimes, or committing an offense while already out on bond. … Allen was killed during a 2017 traffic stop. The man accused of killing Allen was released from jail on bond." (Paul DeBenedetto And Becky Fogel, "Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill Requiring Cash Bail For Some Offenses Into Law," KUHF-FM, 9/13/21)

Harris County Had Eliminated "Cash Bail For Most People Accused Of Low-Level Crimes," Which Was The Impetus For "The Damon Allen Act." "Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bail bill into law Monday requiring people accused of violent crimes to pay cash to get out of jail. Senate Bill 6, dubbed "the Damon Allen Act' in honor of slain State Trooper Damon Allen, bars a person from being released on a personal recognizance bond -- a no-cash bond -- if charged with certain crimes. … Proponents of the bill say it's a response to rising crime and a reaction to bail policies put in practice in areas like Harris County. In 2017, a federal judge found the county's use of cash bail for misdemeanor offenses unconstitutionally discriminated against the poor. Harris County responded by eliminating cash bail for most people accused of low-level crimes." (Paul DeBenedetto And Becky Fogel, "Gov. Greg Abbott Signs Bill Requiring Cash Bail For Some Offenses Into Law," KUHF-FM, 9/13/21)

Beto O'Rourke Has Repeatedly Called For An End To Cash Bail:

O'Rourke Wants To "End The Cash Bail System." "O'Rourke said he would ban private, for-profit prison systems and end the cash bail system." (Rebecca Klar, "O'Rourke Unveils Criminal Justice Reform Plan," The Hill, 10/18/19)

O'Rourke: "Ending The Cash Bail System Makes Sense." (Garrett Haake And Jane C. Timm, "Beto O'Rourke, Citing Own Past Arrests, Says Ending Cash Bail System "Makes Sense'," NBC News, 3/22/19)

In 2018 O'Rourke Introduced Legislation Calling For The End Of Cash Bail. "In addition to Harris, a number of Democratic presidential candidates are calling for end to cash bail, including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, former Rep. Beto O'Rourke of Texas and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. Sanders introduced legislation last year to accomplish that goal, but the bill never made it out of committee." (John Buntin, "Bail Reform: Are New Policies Improving Criminal Justice?," CQ Researcher, 4/12/19)

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