Authors
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Michael McGarrah
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MiKayla Green
Criminal Justice System Backlogs in the Post-COVID-19 Era: A Case Study of Prosecutorial Reform in Travis County, Texas Research Note
Overview
Criminal justice system backlogs, or the number of unresolved cases in a jurisdiction, have long posed a challenge to the timely and equitable administration of justice. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, however, backlogs grew at an unprecedented rate across the nation and, six years later, continue to stymie criminal justice system operations.
The sudden rise and persistence of those backlogs has led leaders in the field to call for reforms to improve system efficiency. Along these lines, “reform prosecutors” have established policies aimed at the more efficient use of limited criminal justice system resources, in addition to their core mission of reducing the justice system’s reliance on incarceration and other punitive measures, where appropriate, and expanding rehabilitative approaches to justice.
This research note analyzes the pre-indictment backlog in Travis County, Texas, from 2018 through 2025, amid reforms implemented by District Attorney José Garza.
Key Takeaway
Travis County District Attorney José Garza (2021–present) implemented several reforms in the face of ongoing COVID-19-related court closures and increases in “tough-on-crime” policing by the State of Texas and Austin County. These shifts preceded a steep decline in the pre-indictment backlog beginning in April 2024, with a complete return to pre-COVID-19 levels by January 2026.
Publication Highlights
Pandemic-related court closures and a “tough-on-crime” approach to policing drove sharp increases in the case backlog in Travis County.
While diversion increased to its highest levels during District Attorney Garza’s tenure, the indictment rate also reached a high point, suggesting the use of diversion did not preclude indicting where appropriate.
Prosecutorial reforms such as diversion did not result in any increase in serious crime.