Dare to hope? September 29, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Constitution , add a comment
Like most, I recognize that Bush has deeply wounded America;
like many, I worry that the damage may be irrevocable.
Dare I hope that he will merely destroy the Republican Party, and not our whole country? Is that possible, without a new political party to provide opposition and keep the majority party in check?
A recent Gallup poll reported that 59 percent of those surveyed have an unfavorable impression of the Republican Party. By a margin of 47-42 percent, they said Democrats will do a better job of protecting against terrorism and military threats. Asked which party would better maintain prosperity, the majority preferred the Democrats, 54-34.
Aging inmates clogging nation’s prisons September 29, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment This article talks about the graying of America’s prisons, and how it’s costing states more money each year to take care of elderly inmates.
And once they enter prison walls, they aren’t eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, where the costs are shared between the state and federal government, meaning a state shoulders the burden of inmate health care on its own.
Texas inmate becomes famous author September 26, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law , add a comment William Sydney Porter served three years in prison, and died penniless 9 years later. Today, nearly a century later, he’s known as the master of the short story.
While working as a bank teller in Houston, the fledgling author was accused of embezzling a few thousand dollars, prompting his rather sudden move to Honduras. [W]hen he came back to visit his dying wife, he was arrested and sentenced to five years in prison. It was here that convict Porter assumed the pen name O. Henry. His incarceration offered him the time to write as well as a chance to mix with a slew of seedy characters, perfect fodder for his fiction.
TDCJ officer killed in escape September 25, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Death Penalty, Law Enforcement , add a comment Yesterday was a very sad day in Huntsville, Texas.
“This was obviously a very unfortunate incident. It’s absolutely a terrible tragedy and reminds us correctional officers take this job knowing they may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. They put their lives on the line.”
Tourists Visit Larry Craig’s Infamous Stall September 17, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment I bet the tourists flocking to Senator Craig’s toilet have put a stop to any anonymous gay sex there.
Finally, the general public should be able to go in peace–so long as they don’t mind all the camera-wielding tourons.
“We had to just stop and check out the bathroom,” Sally said. “In fact, it’s Jon’s second time - he was here last week already.”
U.S. probes banned briefs found at Gitmo September 14, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Attorney-Client, Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment Although probing briefs sounds like another Senator Craig joke, the fact they accuse the defense lawyers of bringing contraband in to Gitmo is pretty serious.
Whenever I need to give a document or anything to one of my clients, I ask a guard to hand it to him.
An inmate that is caught with contraband has a lot of incentive to protect his source. Who better to blame than the court-appointed attorney? If he loses one lawyer, he’ll get another one, but his contraband source might be harder to replace.
I want a new drug. September 14, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Attorney-Client, Criminal Law , add a comment In my short career as a criminal lawyer, I’ve already been fortunate to tell two defendants that the State dropped the charges against them. Both times, I’ve delivered the news in person rather than by sending a letter.
Someone in my office asked, “Why do you have to go there just for that?” Well, I’m trying to become addicted to the euphoria on a defendant’s face when we win.
Policeman’s Taunts Caught on Tape September 14, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment“You want to try me? You want to try me tonight? You think you have a bad night? I will ruin your night. Do you want to try me tonight, young boy?”
Darrow says no.
“Do you want to go to jail for some (expletive) reason I come up with?” the police officer says.
The Case of the Jena Six September 9, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Constitution, Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a commentIn a Louisiana school, there’s still segregated shade!
After a black student sat under the “white only” shade tree, someone hung three nooses from the tree. Racial tensions erupted, and six young black men were charged with attempted murder for a fight at school. Apparently no whites were charged, although at least one black student was beaten up.
P.S. A librarian in town called the nooses “a prank.”
We don’t have a race problem. It’s not black against white. It’s crime. The nooses? I don’t even know why they were there, what they were supposed to mean. There’s pranks all the time, of one type or another, going on. And it just didn’t seem to be racist to me.
2,741 Sex Offenders Forced to Move September 9, 2007
Posted by Idta in : Criminal Law, Law Enforcement , add a comment 2,741 Sex Offenders Forced to Move
Twenty-five percent of the people who responded to the reader poll (so far) think it isn’t fair that they are being moved.
I’m surprised, I thought fewer people would have any sympathy for them.
