In Harris County, Texas, 351st Criminal District Court Judge Natalia Cornelio is under scrutiny for her decision to grant a personal recognizance (PR) bond to a defendant with a violent criminal record. Jared Wilson, 37, who pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery, was released on PR bond despite the stipulations of the Damon Allen Act. This Texas law, enacted in 2021, was designed to prevent high-risk individuals accused of violent crimes from being released before trial.
Court documents reveal that while on deferred probation, Wilson committed additional felonies, including possession of a prohibited weapon and tampering with evidence, leading to violations of his probation. Judge Cornelio has previously made headlines for her controversial decisions, such as arranging off-site medical care for a death row inmate convicted of a family massacre. Her actions have drawn criticism from legal authorities and could result in a review by the State Commission on Judicial Conduct.
Judge Chuck Silverman of the Criminal District Court informed Fox26 that citizens have the right to file complaints against judges they feel have abused discretion or broken the law. Crime Stoppers of Houston's Andy Kahan strongly criticized Judge Cornelio's decision, emphasizing the statutory breach it represents.
Judge Cornelio, also known as "Nata," is a bilingual Mexican-American who champions serving underserved and Spanish-speaking communities. Her commitment to equal legal access is a cornerstone of her professional ethos. However, her recent decision has sparked debate over judicial discretion and its impact on public safety and confidence in the legal system. The State Commission on Judicial Conduct has the power to investigate, but the lengthy process leaves the community and law enforcement dealing with the immediate consequences.
As the situation unfolds, legal experts and local officials continue to raise concerns about the balance between judicial authority and the enforcement of laws designed to protect the community from potential harm caused by violent offenders.
