Harris County Commissioners Court Approves Transformative Changes to District Criminal Court Operations
In a unanimous decision, the Harris County Commissioners Court has approved a comprehensive initiative put forward by Commissioner Lesley Briones of Harris County Precinct 4. The initiative aims at making crucial investments in Harris County’s District Criminal Courts to enhance the quality and efficiency of justice. The plan was developed by Commissioner Briones, a former judge and a lawyer, in collaboration with several judicial stakeholders.
The investment initiative spearheaded by Commissioner Briones targets long-standing issues plaguing the district court system. Briones' reform package will address technological upgrades, barriers of court appearances, mental health services for competency cases, and the increase in associate judges and support staff. The plan is also expected to streamline case management with a data-driven approach.
In her statement, Commissioner Briones emphasized, "We are taking action to keep advancing justice in Harris County. By investing in much-needed resources for criminal district courts, from technology enhancements to improved procedures and enhanced services, we will make our justice system more just and efficient for victims, defendants, and their families.”
The package includes upgrades to outdated technology will include state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment and essential updates to server and disaster recovery systems. To improve court appearance rates, the county will expand bilingual text message reminders for felony defendants and enhance the Community Assistance Referral Program (CARP) to address mental health and transportation needs. Additionally, mental health support services will be bolstered through streamlined operations for competency restoration and increased resources for the Jail Based Competency Restoration program.
The Associate Judge Program will be extended until October 2025 to maintain reduced court backlogs and support in-custody cases. Finally, efforts to streamline case management will ensure timely hearings and minimize inefficiencies in the judicial process by implementing tracking systems and enhancing internal communications.
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The proposed reforms carry an estimated cost of $10 million to $13 million. However, the expected benefits are substantial, including an increase in court appearance rates, enhanced mental health support, and the improved efficiency of case management.
This strategic investment is designed to enhance processes throughout the life cycle of a case, which can be disrupted by issues such as defendants missing appearances, challenges to competency, or inadequate case management systems and practices. These factors can contribute to delays in delivering justice for all parties involved. The vital funding will strengthen the administration of fair and timely justice by equipping judges and court staff with the necessary support to efficiently handle cases, ensuring that victims, defendants, and their families receive their day in court.
Commissioner Adrian Garcia, Harris County Precinct 2, hailed the initiative stating, “Harris County’s Criminal Justice System is a complex machine with many moving parts. [..] I am optimistic that these measures will help alleviate our backlog by making strategic investments and streamlining operations. Thank you to Commissioner Briones and her team for their hard work on this effort.”
Since taking office in 2023, Commissioner Briones has been a catalyst for change. She has worked with the Texas Legislature to secure six additional criminal district courts in Harris County, championed mental health response initiatives, and fought for greater compensation for law enforcement officers. Briones has also been a strong advocate for low-income residents, pushing for increased juror pay and providing legal assistance to those facing eviction.
“Harris County leadership will keep strategically investing to improve our justice system. This is a very complex issue, and we cannot do it alone. We will continue collaborating and fostering dialogue with our judges, law enforcement officers, community members, and other agencies as we continue to deliver progress," said Commissioner Briones.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
