San Antonio: Councilwoman Cabello Havrda Files Council Consideration Request To Eliminate Property Repossession Fee

Press release from the City of San Antonio:

February 1, 2021

Councilwoman Cabello Havrda Files Council Consideration Request to Eliminate Property Repossession Fee

CONTACT: Lexi Bachran, (210) 643-6219
Lexi.Bachran@sanantonio.gov

SAN ANTONIO (February 1, 2021) – Councilwoman Cabello Havrda filed a council consideration request to assess the feasibility of eliminating the fee associated with the return of personal property from those arrested. Passed in 2009, the $25 fee covers the cost to return all belongings to those arrested that the Bexar County Jail will not accept upon intake. Currently, those arrested can only keep one credit card, their ID, a cellphone, keys and up to $1,000 in cash.

“The act of being arrested can itself have a significant impact on an individual’s family and employment. As an attorney, I am familiar with the challenges inherent in the legal system and the difficulty of navigating an imperfect criminal justice system. Waiving fees for those that experience homelessness or are indigent for the retrieval of medication or lone star card (food assistance) and for keys to an impounded vehicle is appreciated, but the implementation amounts to an undue burden on those who should be considered innocent until proven guilty.

Thanks to Councilman Treviño, Councilwoman Viagran, Councilwoman Rocha Garcia, and Councilman Courage for joining this inquiry into the budget impact and projected revenue loss associated with this fee. I appreciate their investment in the collective benefit of mitigating the barriers those jailed will face that make it more challenging for them to return to productive roles in society.”

This press release was produced by the City of San Antonio. The views expressed here are the author’s own.