Harris County, Texas, announced Friday those with misdemeanor charges would not be placed in jail if they could not make bail. Their previous bail system was originally ruled unconstitutional in 2017.
The new agreement includes a revised judicial protocol, access to more public defense services, a system of text reminders about hearings, and a bail education program for both officials and the public, according to the Houston Chronicle.
The Houston Public Media also reported the deal would allow for around 85 percent of people charged with misdemeanors to be released on personal recognizance bonds.
“In addition, our community will be safer because defendants who show a propensity toward violence will be held and we won’t be tearing apart the livelihoods and families of low-risk defendants before trial,” said County Judge Lina Hidalgo, according to Houston Public Media.
The original announcement of the lawsuit had community leaders pointing out the racist practices within the system of Harris County.
"There is standing racism in this nation, not just in Texas, not just Harris County, but the nation," Rev. William "Bill" Lawson, a longtime leader in the black community, told the Houston Chronicle in 2016. "And we are right now beginning to work on setting up systems to be more fair."
If commissioners accept the deal it will be moved for the approval U.S. District Court Judge Lee H. Rosenthal, who originally ruled the system unconstitutional in 2017. According to the New York Times, the lawsuit was brought on behalf of Maranda Lynn O'Donnell, who spent more than two days in jail because she could not afford to pay her $2,500 bond after an arrest for driving with an invalid license.