Waller County officials are warning that explosive growth could soon force difficult decisions about which criminal defendants remain behind bars and which are released on bond as the county’s courts and jail struggle to keep pace with a growing caseload.
During a discussion Wednesday about future courthouse expansion, judges and prosecutors described a criminal justice system already straining under the weight of rapid growth. Court dockets are swelling, courtroom space is limited and the county jail is filling up, officials said.
‘Which drug dealer do we trust to be out on bond?’
Judge Carol Chaney told commissioners that the Waller County jail is filling up quickly.
If the jail overpopulation crisis isn’t resolved, she warned, officials may have to release criminals to make space…