At A-EZ Out, we’re always fighting to get all our clients out of jail so they can get back their lives and their families, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Unfortunately, our goal has been made more difficult by Greg Abbott’s recent executive order, which makes it nearly impossible for violent offenders to get out of the unsafe conditions of jail. Here’s everything you need to know about this new bail restriction and the lawsuit Greg Abbott is facing for it.
Greg Abbott’s Controversial Executive Order
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, some Texas counties have been trying to thin the populations of jails and keep inmates safe. Instead of complying with this plan, Greg Abbott passed an executive order which bars anyone with a violent offense on their record from getting out of jail unless they can pay their entire bail immediately. This means offenders impacted by this order can’t get out with the help of a bail bond agency. Instead, they’re forced to either pay a personal bond or stay in jail.
Why This Order Puts Inmates at Risk
By the time this order was passed, there was already evidence that the virus was spreading faster among jails than the general population. This is because inmates aren’t given enough room to socially distance from other inmates, and they don’t have immediate access to healthcare or necessities like face masks and hand sanitizer. Jails also don’t prioritize sanitation, which means inmates can easily contract the virus by touching dirty surfaces like tables, beds, and sinks. The best way to keep inmates safe is by reducing jail populations as much as possible, but this order makes it harder for counties to even do that. Greg Abbott’s actions were poorly timed, and he’s recently come under fire for this questionable decision.
Why the ACLU and NAACP Says It’s Unconstitutional
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) sued Greg Abbott last week, stating that his executive order is discriminatory and unconstitutional. According to these organizations, Governor Abbott’s order violates the separation of powers by removing the power of discretion from judges. It also creates a wealth-based system by removing the ability for violent offenders to post bail with the help of bail bond agencies. Only violent offenders who can pay a personal bond are allowed the right to bail, leaving poor people to stay in jail and miss work, school, bills, and family time. The NAACP argues that this order also discriminates against people of color because they are less likely to have the money they need to get out on bail. This lawsuit is new and we don’t know where it’s going, but at least Governor Abbott is finally being forced to answer for his unconstitutional actions.
Get Bailed Out Fast With A-EZ Out
If you need out of jail, A-EZ Bail Bonds can help. Our experienced bail bondsmen are available 24-7 to post bail in Dallas, Collin, Tarrant, and Denton County. Keep yourself safe from COVID-19 when you hire A-EZ Bail Bonds to get you out of jail and back to your home. Call or visit our website to get in touch with one of our bail bondsmen today!