Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman responded by refiling more than 450 criminal cases slated for dismissal by judges who “cite in most cases there is a lack of probable cause”. Constable Herman says too many dismissed cases is the reason for Harris County’s high crime rate.

Thousands of criminal cases have been dismissed in Harris County. Constable Herman says the result is rising crime rate, compromised public safety, and the safety of Harris County police officers in jeopardy.

Several years ago, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg notified the Constable that since 2021, thousands of criminal cases were dismissed by criminal court judges and magistrates. She said the cases were slated for dismissal, leaving the District Attorney’s Office no other option, unless the cases were again presented to the district attorney office.

Constable Herman’s Office determined hundreds of those cases were filed by them. This finding prompted the initiative, launched in 2021, to put together groups of police officers to review dismissed criminal cases with the DA’s Office to refile. More than 450 criminal cases have been refiled to date.

“We will not let these people go without having a day in court. Our deputies risk their lives bringing these suspects to justice; therefore, we will see these cases through our criminal justice system,” Constable Mark Herman said.

“The message today that I want to give out: If you come out to Precinct 4 and you commit a crime, if your case is dismissed, you can count on it being refiled,” Constable Mark Herman said. “We must hold these criminals and magistrates accountable to make sure judges adjudicate these cases.”

The Precinct 4 Constable’s Office has chosen to change the direction back toward accountability and consequences for lawbreakers, and hopes other agencies in Harris County do the same. Constable Herman says the dismissals have emboldened criminals and left law-abiding citizens suffering the consequences instead of the criminals.