SAN ANTONIO – More than a year after receiving additional funding to address a backlog of cases awaiting indictment, the Bexar County District Attorney asked for the continued use of unused funds from the Commissioners Court.
In November 2023, District Attorney Joe Gonzales requested funds to establish a “High-Risk Intake Team” aimed at clearing the backlog.
Last month, KSAT 12 reported more than 16,700 felony cases were awaiting indictment.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, 1,814 cases were indicted between Nov. 1, 2023, and Oct. 22, 2024, but the office indicated that its new case management system, Odyssey, limited its ability to report precise numbers.
On Tuesday, Gonzales updated the Commissioners Court on the state of the “High-Risk Intake Team” and received authorization to continue using unused funds in the amount of $121,762, which resulted from vacant positions within his office.
Last year, commissioners approved the use of $295,428 to help establish the “High-Risk Intake Team.” Since then, the number of cases waiting to be indicted increased.
In an interview with Precinct 3 Commissioner Grant Moody, he said the current backlog posed a risk to public safety and strained the criminal justice system.
KSAT 12 News reached out to the DA’s Office to request an interview with Gonzales on numerous occasions but has not yet received a response.
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