While administrative authority for the OCS still resides statutorily with the Commissioners' Court, a committee comprising judges from the Criminal District Courts and the County Criminal Courts at Law provides guidance regarding the Office's operational objectives. Management Services coordinates the Office's efforts to serve the courts, the County, and the community. The OCS has two primary functions. The first is to investigate and compile information on people that are charged by Harris County with a felony or class A or B misdemeanor offense.
Staff then synthesize collected information into a report.
The report assists the judiciary with release and detention decisions, especially those related to eligibility for release on personal bond. If the court releases the defendant on personal bond or orders conditions of release regardless of the release method, OCS staff monitor and enforce defendant compliance and report non-compliance to the court. Articles 17.01 and 17.03 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure define a personal bond as a form of bail that does not require the defendant to post security. The defendant takes an oath to appear in court, and no money is required for his or her release. The court, however, may assess service-related fees payable to the county after release.