There will be another appellate court hearing over the cash-bail system in Dallas County, but this time the entire 5th Circuit Court will hear the arguments.
It’s called an en banc hearing, where instead of a three judge panel, all the judges will sit, listen and rule.
The lawsuit is over the ability of cash-strapped defendants to post bond and get out of jail while awaiting trial.
The inmates want the courts to look at things other than just cash in deciding bail.
The inmates sued the Dallas County magistrate judges, who set the bond, and the Sheriff, who runs the jail.
A District Court judge enjoined the judges from following prescheduled bail amounts without considering the other assets until the suit can get a full airing. That’s where things stand.
In December the three judge panel sided with the judge who issued the injunction.
The rare decision by the full court to hear the case could have an impact on the bail statewide.