Legal experts believe Fort Bend County Judge KP George could avoid prison

RICHMOND, Texas (KTRK) — Legal experts believe Fort Bend County Judge KP George could avoid prison time. After posting bond, Judge KP George was released from jail on Friday. Although he was convicted of felony money laundering charges, he won't be sentenced until this June.

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: Fort Bend County Judge KP George bonds out of jail after guilty verdict in money laundering trial George could go from a felony money laundering conviction at the justice center courthouse last week to the historic courthouse for commissioners court this week. Commissioners will meet on Thursday afternoon. On the agenda is an item to discuss the county judge. "

The commissioners court has no authority or role in removing KP George from office," Rice University political science professor Mark Jones explained. "

That's something only the courts can do right now." Prosecutors plan to ask a judge to suspend George from his duties as a county judge during sentencing. Even if the trial judge does it, experts said it could still complicate getting business done in Fort Bend County. ”

That's easier said than done when you have two Republicans and two Democrats," George said. "

If they can't work it out amongst themselves, that job would effectively remain vacant through the end of the year." A jury convicted George of two felony money laundering charges after prosecutors said he stole more than $46,000 of his campaign funds. George elected to have the trial judge, not the jury, determine the sentence.

Legal experts said she can choose between prison and probation. Given that it's a non-violent offense and George's lack of criminal history, attorney Steve Shellist believes George won't be put behind bars.

“I think she's going to do what she believes in her heart is the right decision for this case and won't be swayed by politics despite what people may want on the outside," Shellist said. We'll have to wait three months for a sentence, but for his role as county judge, we'll have an idea in days whether George plans to continue serving after the conviction. For updates on this story, , X and Instagram.