One year ago today, I wrote “Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should” to discuss the discretion of prosecutors. Prosecutors can and do choose which offenses and people they will prosecute. It’s a matter of resources. It’s a matter of proof. It’s a matter of discretion. Every case that is prosecuted requires some portion […]
Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should – Revisited Read More »
Yes, I said HPD Crime Lab rather than Houston Forensic Science Center. Despite the fancy new name and claimed independence, it’s the same old game. This time the Lab commissioned an audit of its crime scene unit related to officer-involved shootings. The purpose of the audit was to address complaints by the District Attorney’s Office
More HPD Crime Lab Problems; This Time it’s the Crime Scene Unit Read More »
Late for Work? Call a Trooper and Get to Work on Time You’ve seen police escorts many times. Sometimes it’s a wide load. Other times maybe a caravan of equipment. Maybe even a funeral procession. We’ve come to expect them from time to time on Texas roadways. But did you know you could hire one
Baseball, Apple Pie, and High Speed Police Escorts Read More »
Brass knuckles are just one of the weapons that is prohibited in Texas. For that matter, brass or not, the knuckles are prohibited. Why then do so many students get arrested with them? Kids are getting arrested, rather frequently, in schools with brass knuckles. Of course, the kids aren’t really even sure they are knuckles
Novelties, Brass Knuckles and Juveniles: What You Need to Know Read More »
About a week after the heinous attack on Dallas police officers, media sought to understand more about the killer. They learned the gunman was honorably discharged from the military but knew he had been involved in some sort of sexual harassment. In their quest to fill the ever-growing hunger for details to report, the Associated
Lawyers Duty to Client Never Dies Read More »
For decades, discipline for prosecutors was atypical and virtually nonexistent. Times are changing, though, it seems. First, Ken Anderson and Charles Sebesta and now line prosecutors. In a case of first impression for disciplinary actions, Denton County prosecutor William Schultz found out the hard way that Brady has meaning beyond the courts. While the courts
Prosecutorial Discipline Read More »
A 17-year-old cannot vote, buy cigarettes or alcohol, and cannot serve in the armed forces. Yet, a 17-year-old is an adult for criminal prosecution purposes and can legally have consensual sexual relations. Hell, even a 14-17 year old child can legally engage in consensual sex so long as his partner is not more than three
Age: Is it Just a Number? Read More »
Criminal defense lawyer extraordinaire Mark Bennett has done his fair share of good deeds. As he can tell you, no good deed goes unpunished. A true defender, Mark often comes to the aide and defense of his brethren in and around Harris County. He is head of the HCCLA Strike Force and responds to a “bat signal”
In what Internet universe would a lawyer steal the words and work of another and not expect to be caught or called out? Why would a lawyer post “news” on their website by simply trolling the Internet and stealing others news? And, if a lawyer were going to do so, would they just take the
Well, generally, no, but it depends. (Don’t you just love that answer!) Texas Rules of Evidence, Rule 609(a) speaks generally to impeachment with criminal convictions. Juvenile adjudications are not criminal convictions, and are therefore, generally not admissible for impeachment purposes. Rule 609(d) specifically addresses juvenile adjudications: (d) Juvenile Adjudications. Evidence of a juvenile adjudication is
Can My Client be Impeached with Prior Juvenile Adjudications? Read More »
