For many years, Montgomery County residents have expressed shock and outrage at the actions of Harris County judges who don’t support law enforcement. More than a few members of law enforcement have sought employment in Montgomery County specifically because criminals were often back on the streets before their paperwork was finished. Law enforcement in Harris County has tried to shine a light on this problem with greater transparency. Possibly, the most transparent elected official in Harris County is Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman, whose office issues dozens of media releases every week, and includes booking photos and sometimes on-scene photos. Because of Precinct 4’s proximity to South Montgomery County and the tendency for criminals to cross that county line and victimize local residents, MCPR has shared an enormous amount of Herman’s activities with readers, sparking many discussions about Harris County’s criminal justice system, with some questioning how law enforcement even stays motivated to do their job. 

Today, there’s a plot twist. Constable Herman has issued the statement below regarding the refiling of hundreds of dismissed criminal cases, and placing the blame for the high crime rate directly on the judges:

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — The Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office announced they’ve recently refiled more than 500 criminal cases against accused criminals, cases they say were slated for dismissal by judges who cite in most cases there is a lack of probable cause.  Constable Mark Herman blames too many dismissed cases as the reason for Harris County’s high crime rate.

The issue has resulted in thousands of criminal cases being dismissed in Harris County.  As a result, the crime rate has gone up, public safety is compromised, and the safety of police officers in Harris County is in jeopardy.

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

Our office determined hundreds of these cases were filed by Precinct 4. This finding prompted the initiative, which was launched in 2021, to put together groups of police officers to review these 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.” – Said Constable Mark Herman.

“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,” said

Constable Mark Herman”.  “We must hold these criminals and magistrates accountable to make sure judges adjudicate these cases.”

The Precinct 4 Constable’s office has chose  to change the direction and hopes other agencies in our County do the same. There Must be a consequence when you break the law in Harris County, Texas again. These dismissals have emboldened a new type of criminal here in our county, which our citizens are now paying the consequence for.