Jury selection is art and science, part Dr. Phil, part Dr. Freud with some law thrown in for good measure. It’s an area law schools provide no practical instruction for, yet no lawyer can try a case without knowing how to select a jury. What law students are taught is…
Kaufman is the county east of Dallas. Geographically we are neighbors, but we each have unique criminal justice systems. As a lawyer who operates in both worlds let me offer a comparison. First, the part of criminal defense that actually matters is the same in both counties. The law, working…
Not all cops are bad. But every department has a few Officer Powells on the force. Besides harassing motorists on their way to the ER Officer Powell also attempted at least one DWI arrest. Allegedly, he (shock!) told conflicting stories at the scene, on the stand, and in his police…
For the first time in my legal career I completed a county courthouse trifecta. I made an appearance in 3 different county courthouses in one day. This made me wonder what the record is for most county courthouses visited in a day? It can’t be more than 4. All this…
The militarization of our police force is complete. Dallas Police are using a freakin’ helicopter to find an orange painted streaker on Katy Trail. A few questions- 1. How hard is it to catch someone who is a) naked and b) painted orange! Maybe if cops weren’t so busy meeting…
DISD has a truancy epidemic. The district has so many truants that a special court is needed to help prosecute school children who won’t show up for their free government education. Truancy enforcement is a win/win for Dallas. The city gets the fines levied against parents, and schools get more…
If you were on trial for a misdemeanor assault, and a witness accused you of murder, would that prejudice your case? Would you feel better if the judge told the jury to “disregard” the murder allegation? That brings us to our case of the day, Hecht v. State, No. 05-07-00431-CR.…
The rise of the paramilitary SWAT team is a testament to the failure of America’s criminal justice system. It defines the transition from peace officers, to law enforcement. One problem with giving the government the power to kick in doors while playing army is that the government can’t be trusted…
Texan of the Year and Dallas DA Craig Watkins came into office on 1/1/07 on a Democratic tidal wave. Beyond the DA’s office longtime GOP criminal court judges have been replaced with Democrats. Much hang wringing among the GOP law and order crowd ensued. What happens when liberal commie criminal…
Dallas’ red light camera program was struck down yesterday. A judge ruled the city’s shameless money grab violates Texas law. I have been following the proliferation of red light cameras in Texas. It’s a greedy government pig covered with some public safety lipstick. Why did the judge rule these cameras…