New Texas Law Allows Bond For Blue Warrants/Parole Holds

Originally published by Robert Guest.

Oh the Blue Warrant, the enemy of all those who are on paper. A blue warrant is what we call a warrant issued for a parole violation. Allegedly, they used to be on blue paper, hence the name.

Abbott’s magic pen recently signed SB790, so on 9/1/15 you will be able to actually have a bond set on if you meet certain requirements. Blue warrants have typically meant a very extended stay in county while the system sorted out your new case (which is the cause of many blue warrants) or the Parole Board decided what to do about your technicals (dirty UAs, missing meetings etc). Bond just wasn’t an option, but it will be soon.

This move should save counties a nice pile of cash. Kaufman County has 19 “Hold For TDCJ” inmates right now, that’s more than any other criminal offense. This bill is parter of a larger Smart on Crime movement, which is a nice way of saying that up until recently, we have been stupid on crime, or more accurately TUFF ON CRIME!. Being stupid, and/or tuff, is expensive. Holding people who pose no threat to public safety is a great way to waste tax dollars, letting people out on bond saves you money, so we only pay to lock up people we are truly scared of, not merely mad at.

Who can get bail set on a blue warrant/parole hold?

I’m glad you asked. To be eligible you must meet some requirements. I’ll just quote the statute and save us some time. Basically, you can’t be the guy described below.

(1)  has not been previously convicted of:
	(A)  an offense under Chapter 29, Penal Code;
	(B)  an offense under Title 5, Penal Code,
	punishable as a felony; or
	(C)  an offense involving family violence, as
	defined by Section 71.004, Family Code;
	(2)  is not on intensive supervision or super-intensive
	supervision;
	(3)  is not an absconder; and
	(4)  is not a threat to public safety.

 

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