Federal Judge Clears Way for Paxton to Fight Harris County Bail Deal

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton just secured a major victory in the fight to restore law and order. A federal judge has ruled that Paxton can intervene in the controversial 2019 Harris County bail reform deal a decree critics say has flooded communities with criminals and undermined public safety.

Known as the O'Donnell Consent Decree, the agreement came out of a 2016 lawsuit claiming that Harris County’s prior bail policies were unconstitutional because they kept defendants behind bars simply for lacking money. The result? Most cash bail requirements for misdemeanor charges were eliminated, and unsecured release became the new norm all under the supervision of a so-called "independent monitor."

But Paxton is pushing back hard. In a statement Wednesday, he made it clear what’s at stake. “The justice system must be dedicated to punishing the evildoer and protecting the innocent,” he said. “Far too often, leftist judicial activists and other liberal anti-prison organizations have worked to make Texas less safe by throwing open the prison doors and unleashing criminals back onto the streets.”

He’s not wrong. Since the bail reform decree took effect, Harris County has seen:

• A 40% increase in violent crime between 2019 and 2022, according to FBI data.

• Repeat offenders released under lax bail terms committing serious new crimes, including homicide.

• Judges allowing arrestees with multiple prior convictions to walk free without paying a cent.

Now, with the judge’s ruling, Paxton’s office can argue in court to throw out the decree entirely, citing its conflict with Texas law and its dangerous impact on local communities. His legal team stated plainly that the reform has "enabled radical judges to more easily release criminals into Harris County communities."

The case underscores a growing national backlash against soft-on-crime policies pushed by liberal judges, prosecutors, and activist groups many of whom are backed by deep-pocketed progressive donors like George Soros. Their policies have prioritized the feelings of offenders over the safety of law-abiding citizens.

Paxton’s move sends a powerful message: Texas is not going to stand by while left-wing experiments in “criminal justice reform” tear apart its neighborhoods. With his intervention now officially greenlit, the AG is poised to challenge the decree in full and potentially set a precedent for pushing back against radical bail reforms across the country.

If you’re tired of criminals getting a free pass while victims are ignored, now’s the time to speak up. Share this article with your network or subscribe to our newsletter for more stories that expose the truth behind liberal legal agendas.