FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2005
Family advocacy groups outraged by vetoes of bi-partisan
criminal justice bills
Groups up in arms that Perry Chose Politics over
Public Safety
(AUSTIN, TX) A group of family advocacy groups today
criticized Governor Rick Perry’s decision to veto legislation that included a bill that passed overwhelmingly from both
chambers of the Texas Legislature. These pieces of legislation would have meant long-reaching changes for the Texas’
criminal system and the individuals affected by it. These groups, along with other organizations, worked hard to help improve
the overall criminal justice system during the Legislative session.
“It is unfortunate that the governor today decided to follow the
lead of a few while ignoring changes that would benefit all Texans,” said Joyce Ann Brown, President/CEO of Mothers
(Fathers) for the Advancement of Social Systems-MASS, Inc. “By vetoing House Bill 2193, House Bill 3152, and Senate
Bill 1195 Governor Perry has rejected a sensible and effective strategy to increase public safety while reducing criminal
justice costs.”
Had House Bill 2193 become law, it would have made noticeable improvements
to public safety by excluding serious violent offenders from judicial review. HB 2193 would not have changed the maximum
probation terms for sex offenses, violent offenses, offenses performed with a weapon, first- or second -degree felonies or
state jail felonies. It also would have increased funding for community supervision and would have allowed for 500 additional
community-correctional beds to hold probationers.
“Governor Perry has missed a tremendous opportunity to do something
about our overstretched and overworked probation system. These pieces of legislation would have prevented the reentry
cycle of persons of low level crimes and subsequently the deterioration and destruction of families and children,” added
Joan Burnham, Executive Director of Texas Inmates Families Association (TIFA, Inc.).
“HB 2193 will most likely result in more overcrowding of our prisons
which is already overtaxed by current numbers. It will be more difficult for prisoners to access finite educational
services, quality medical care, and be assigned to prisons closer to home where families can visit more often. In Texas, an
even greater shortage of beds will mean that an offender will be sent anywhere in Texas where there is an available bed, even
if it is a 14 hour drive from home. The impact on family cohesion
generally and the lives of children will be devastating”, said Chuck Hurt, Executive Director of Texas Justice Network.
Had HB 3152—authored by Representative Escobar—become law,
the bill would have addressed a defendant’s right to receive appropriate legal counsel. The law would have reduced the
occasion of judges/prosecutors pressuring defendants to enter un-counseled pleas.
Had SB1195 been approved as proposed by Senator Juan “Chuy”
Hinojosa – it would have required officers to obtain a documented statement from individuals for their “consent
to search”. Officers would have had to obtain written or captured verbal consent via video.
“In the name of politics, Governor Perry has just put the brakes
on much needed improvements to the criminal justice. He has clearly drawn a line in the sand and has declared his priority
to be advancing his political future at the expense of our public safety” said Jim Maynard Vice-President of MASS, Inc.
For information on these House Bills, please see www.solutionsfortexas.info.
