From Law is Cool:
"You mean,” he said, this look of absolute unbelief working across his face, “you mean, if I’m guilty I get out today?”
“Right.”
“And if I’m innocent I stay locked up?”
“You got it, man. So what are you gonna be, guilty or innocent?”
James Mills, One Just Man,
That’s the name of the latest and greatest show that network TV has in store (or as Balko says “I think reality TV may have finally hit bottom”). So what exactly is this fabulous concoction whipped up for our viewing pleasure?
The show features law officers in Phoenix setting up grandiose sting…
Proving the obvious – that not everyone with access to the internet has a brain – comes this gem:
I "don’t agree" with taxpayer money used for inmates to receive[sic] their "GED" in prison
I’m tempted to repeat a little rhyme about “I before E” but instead I’ll just…
** Sigh **
Thanks to Mark Bennett for posting a .pdf to the Texas defense lawyers listserv of the recent letter by the Federal Defenders concerning sentencing reform to the U.S. Sentencing Commission. The email contained specific instructions that the .pdf was a public document and was meant to be disseminated, so here’s a link.
I haven’t finished…
In the comments section of an Austin American Statesman story titled “Drugs, mental health and the justice system” a reader who identifies himself as a former probation officer wrote:
As a former Probation Officer I read this story with real interest. In seven (7) years on the job, I can’t recall a single…
Someone googled:
“Whose decision is it to put someone in jail if you fail a drug test while on probation?”
Well, if you fail a U/A while on probation, your probation officer will file a motion to revoke which causes paperwork asking that a warrant issues to be sent to the court for the judge’s…
From an email:
If you have the time, and don’t mind, may I have your perspective on Article 42.12 – the specified portion:
—————————-
If the judge discharges the defendant under this section, the judge may set aside the verdict or permit the defendant to withdraw his plea, and shall dismiss the accusation, complaint, information
…
It’s the question criminal defense lawyers get asked regularly, by friends, family members, strangers on the train, etc.
The Houston Chronicle – or should I say reporter Mary Flood? – asked Mark Bennett “The Question” in this morning’s paper:
Q: What do you tell folks who ask how you can defend people accused of
…
Last Fall the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals got some deservedly bad press for allowing the execution of a death row inmate to proceed because the appellate lawyers arrived at the courthouse door 20 minutes late.
Mind you, the defendant had not yet been killed – but his lawyers ran into some problems getting to…
Hat Tip: Simple Justice
At least he ends it with the line:
I’m fine with using DNA to find people innocent it they’re truly innocent. I just want you to know that.
I’m sure they’re happy to have your permission to do that, Senator.