Questions over a drug lab’s accreditation have led to a pause in some of Harris County’s pre-trial services for suspects out on bond, according to a story first reported by the Houston Chronicle.
With the drug lab’s accreditation on the line, evidence already heard by the court could be compromised, along with hundreds of test results that were used to determine bond conditions, rendering them invalid.
Having to pass a drug test is a typical condition of someone’s bond. If the person tests positive, the terms could be strengthened or revoked entirely and that person would go back to jail.
In 2022, the state of Texas changed its accreditation standards. The company that performs the tests for Harris County, Avertest, was one of the companies that was no longer accredited under the change. Yet for reasons under dispute, the county continued to use and pay Avertest.
At least one district judge in Harris County, according to ABC13’s partners at the Houston Chronicle, is considering an audit to determine if any bonds were revoked using Avertest results.