The “big three” state officials – Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and House Speaker Dustin Burrows – have pledged to bring “greater transparency and accountability to rogue local prosecutors who refuse to enforce Texas law.”
In a joint statement released on Friday, the leaders paid particular attention to Democrat Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza, accusing him of taking actions that jeopardize public safety. The statement cited Garza’s dismissal of murder charges, refusal to prosecute violent criminals, and multiple examples of bond being granted to repeat offenders.
“For far too long, Texans have been left at the mercy of certain local prosecutors’ soft-on-crime policies,” said Speaker Burrows. “When murderers are let off the hook, released on bail through catch-and-release policies, or even have their charges dismissed, public safety is compromised. This March, I created the House Governmental Oversight Select Committee, which will meet September 30 to hear testimony on this issue and develop reforms that strengthen public safety, hold public officials accountable and ensure political ideology never comes before law and order. This will be a top priority for the Texas House next session, and I look forward to working with Governor Abbott and Lieutenant Governor Patrick to crack down on rogue prosecutors and ensure victims and their families receive the justice they deserve.”
“Texans come first,” said Governor Abbott. “Prosecutors must enforce Texas law and keep violent criminals behind bars. When murder charges are dropped and repeat offenders walk free, innocent Texans pay the price. Texas will hold rogue prosecutors accountable and deliver justice for victims.”
“Liberal, soft-on-crime prosecutors have endangered Texans for far too long,” said Lieutenant Governor Patrick. “The Texas Senate will take strong action against these rogue prosecutors who release violent murderers, rapists, and other violent criminals back onto our streets. I look forward to working with Speaker Burrows and Governor Abbott to hold these rogue prosecutors accountable who needlessly endanger Texans.”
Public safety has been a priority issue for Abbott, Patrick, and Burrows. Last year, lawmakers passed a package of bond reform measures that the Governor’s office touted as the “strongest bail reform package in Texas history.” These included an amendment to the Texas Constitution that requires judges to deny bail to defendants charged with violent crimes who are deemed to be a flight risk or threat to public safety.
Abbott has also emphasized public safety in his campaign for re-election, expressing his support for new laws to deny bail to illegal immigrants charged with felonies, establish a statewide prosecutor’s office, impeach District Attorneys who fail to follow the law, and expand the Texas Repeat Offender Task Force. Democrat State Representative Gina Hinojosa, who is running against Abbott for Governor, has opposed legislation to deny bail to illegal immigrants charged with felonies as well as a bill to hold prosecutors accountable for official misconduct
