Introduction to the Crisis
The Harris County District Attorney’s office has been facing a massive court case backlog, which has led to a humanitarian crisis in the Harris County Jail. The new District Attorney, Sean Teare, has taken steps to address this issue by fully staffing the intake division with line prosecutors for the first time in eight years.
The Intake Division
The intake division is responsible for taking calls from police officers on the scene and filing criminal charges. Teare’s decision to staff this division with seasoned prosecutors is a significant change from the previous system, which was described as a "call center" where employees with little to no prosecuting experience fielded calls and filed charges. This change aims to alleviate the backlog and address the humanitarian crisis in the jail.
The Backlog and Its Causes
The lingering case backlog is largely to blame for the overcrowding in the Harris County Jail. The backlog is caused by a combination of factors, including persistent staffing issues, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. According to the district attorney’s office, more than 107,000 cases remain pending in the county.
Previous Administration’s Approach
The previous District Attorney, Kim Ogg, had a different approach to addressing the backlog. She pointed the finger at judges who she said could do more to expedite the completion of cases and police departments that could turn over evidence more quickly. However, Teare has taken a different approach, referring to several charges that the district attorney has dismissed for a lack of evidence this year.
Teare’s Approach
Teare has taken a more proactive approach to addressing the backlog. He has dismissed several charges for a lack of evidence and has touted the office’s 180% case clearance rate, which measures the office’s efficiency by comparing the amount of cases brought in to the amount of cases disposed of. This approach has been praised by some, who say that it is a step in the right direction to addressing the humanitarian crisis in the jail.
The Humanitarian Crisis
The Harris County Jail has repeatedly failed state safety inspections due to persistent staffing problems and overcrowding. The county has invested millions of dollars into outsourcing detainees to private facilities outside of Harris County to alleviate the issues. However, this has created a significant communication barrier between incarcerated people and their attorneys.
Efforts to Address the Crisis
The county has taken steps to address the crisis, including hiring more detention officers and deputies to alleviate mandatory overtime requirements in the jail. Additionally, the county has approved a comprehensive plan to sustain funding for the Associate Judge Program, which aims to streamline case management and expand the county’s jail competency restoration program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Harris County District Attorney’s office is taking steps to address the massive court case backlog and the humanitarian crisis in the Harris County Jail. Teare’s approach to fully staffing the intake division and dismissing charges for a lack of evidence is a significant change from the previous system. While there is still much work to be done, these efforts are a step in the right direction to addressing the crisis and ensuring that justice is served in a timely and efficient manner.
