SAN ANTONIO- We are committed to bring you answers on how the Bexar County Criminal Justice System could improve.
We have details on a plan released by Bexar County Judge Ron Rangel and reaction from city and county officials.
There are several recommendations listed in this analysis by Judge Rangel. One recommendation is to hire more prosecutors. The DA’s office says they’re working on it and creating a more effective criminal justice system. In a 6-page letter written by Judge Ron Rangel, it highlights improvements to areas such as magistrate, bonds, and the District Attorney’s Office. We asked Pete Gallego, Assistant Criminal District Attorney, what the DA’s Office thought about the letter.
“We were very happy to see that he opened his letter saying the initial conversation was mischaracterized there was a spate of shootings of officers that were not related in any way to repeat offenders who are out on bail,” says Gallegos.
Questions about the bail process were sparked by SAPD Chief William McManus after 6 San Antonio police officers were shot over the span of two weeks late this summer. Gallego says because county commissioners making more money available, the DA’s office will be fully staffed by next year. They will also have better technology to help prosecutors look at police evidence.
“So those kinds of things that make the system more efficient they’re coming up and getting done,” says Gallego.
He also applauded the Bexar County Commissioners for increasing the pay of new prosecutors as well as approving overtime pay for their attorneys. We tried to get Judge Sakai to comment, but he was unavailable. But we were able to take our questions to Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody.
“We need to pivot away from the soft on crime approach there has to be consequences for criminals,” says Commissioner Moody.
He says the analysis was a good first step in keeping repeat violent offenders in jail.
“I think it’s really important we punish criminals effectively,” says Commissioner Moody.
The analysis also came with a list of accomplishments such as: reopening lines of communication between San Antonio Police, the court system, and the DA’s office, and recruiting young attorneys and detention officers. We also wanted comments from SAPD Chief William McManus. The department says he wasn’t available, but gave us this statement from city manager Erik Walsh:
“The city and the county have been working together to close gaps in the criminal justice system.
we have had several workgroup meetings with multiple county agencies and are scheduled to meet later this month to finalize actionable steps.”
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