Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ This 61-year-old man with a history of pneumonia was ready to enter a guilty plea and get out of jail.

Then the judge canceled his hearing because of the new coronavirus.

Now he's in jail indefinitely. bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus #COVID19 #COVID_19

2/ This is happening across the state.

Courts have slowed.

Jury trials are on hold.

And defense attorneys worry the outbreak could leave their clients sitting in jail waiting for justice.

All while vulnerable to catching the virus.

bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus

3/ Last week, courts were authorized to use teleconferencing and directed to prioritize “essential” hearings — like child removal orders and initial hearings for people recently booked into jail. bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus

4/ This will bring major delays and will leave people who have not yet been convicted of crimes stuck in jail, where cramped and often unsanitary conditions increase the risk of contracting the virus. bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus

5/ Public defenders in rural and urban regions are pushing to get more low-level defendants released from jail on no-cost bonds.

Those efforts are being met by either willing prosecutors and judges, or pushback. bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus

6/6 Read more here. bit.ly/3b9L4br

#coronavirus #COVID19 #COVID_19