In Texas, criminal law is not just for criminals anymore -at least not criminals as they have traditionally been defined. Pending legislation would criminalize everything from failure to recycle any piece of electronics equipment to placing a business sign on a rural road, and even leaving a dog tethered to a tree for a total of eight hours in a 24-hour period. The blurring of civil and criminal law is not a novel development in Texas, but rather part of a national trend.
Criminal Justice
Accountability, Transparency, and Public Safety: A Conservative Approach to Bail Bond Oversight
Texas’s fragmented bail system lacks oversight, allowing bondsmen to profit while repeat offenders cycle through release with little accountability. Statewide regulation would strengthen enforcement, improve data transparency, and better protect public safety across counties. Key Points The current regulations for bondsmen in Texas provides limited oversight and a lack of consistency, leading to incongruous enforcement...
July 27, 2026