The bond conditions and court evidence in Harris County are in jeopardy following the discovery that a drug test company is unaccredited.

In Harris County, Texas, concerns regarding the accreditation of a drug lab have prompted a halt in certain pre-trial services for individuals released on bond, as reported by the Houston Chronicle.

The potential loss of accreditation for the drug lab raises concerns about the validity of evidence presented in court and the reliability of hundreds of test results used to determine bond conditions.

Under typical bond conditions, individuals are required to undergo drug testing. If a person tests positive, their bond terms may be adjusted or revoked, leading to their return to jail.

In 2022, changes to Texas accreditation standards affected the status of Avertest, the company conducting tests for Harris County. Despite losing accreditation, the county continued to utilize and compensate Avertest, leading to discrepancies.

According to reports from the Houston Chronicle, at least one district judge in Harris County is considering an audit to assess if any bonds were revoked based on Avertest results.

Discussions among judges are scheduled for the upcoming week to address the situation. All parties involved are reviewing the circumstances surrounding the continued use of Avertest and its implications.

Efforts to obtain information from Harris County pre-trial services regarding alternative drug testing procedures during this period have been unsuccessful.

This technical issue has the potential to create challenges for Harris County in managing its legal processes.