Texas Congressman Ted Poe has introduced the Citizens’ Right to Know Act of 2016 which would require all agencies receiving federal funding for pretrial services program to submit a report to the Attorney General. Currently the Department of Justice grants significant funds to both state and local governments for pretrial programs that monitor the release of criminals. Unfortunately, there is little to no oversight of these programs. The bill would require a report to be submitted to the Attorney General that names each defendant participating in the program and their prior arrest record.
Congressman Poe is a former judge who is the Representative for Texas’s 2nd congressional district. He cites the importance of record keeping for participants on these programs. As a former judge he knows the damage that can happen when a person fails to appear in court. Currently, there is no one watching these defendants. The bill, which has been referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, would allow the government to reduce or reallocate funding if reporting requirements are not met. At the end of the day, Poe and H.R. 6016 supporters hope to increase accountability and awareness of these pretrial programs and keep our communities safe while protecting everyone’s rights.