More fun with my new copy of the Highway Patrol Operations Manual. I blogged earlier about how to handle a DPS/police request for a consent search during a traffic stop. Here is what DPS has to say on the subject. This is what they are supposed to be doing during…
Today I received my new 841 page DPS general operations manual on CD. I thought I knew most of DPS’ crime investigation techniques. This section on hypnosis took me by surprise. 25 .05 .00 GENERAL The use of hypnosis as an investigative tool for law enforcement is a fairly recent…
Texas criminal justice system can’t keep up with Austin’s greed Grits opined on the failure of our criminal justice system as a revenue collection agency. The Texas criminal justice system has billed out but failed to collect $1 billion in fines and fees last year. As a front line observer…
From the Dallas Morning News AUSTIN — All available Texas troopers will be on patrol over the holidays at a time when drinking and driving usually go up. The Department of Public Safety on Monday said troopers also will concentrate on speeders and seat belt violators. DPS says increased enforcement…
Hat tip to the TDCAA website for highlighting this recent COCA DWI opinion. In a remarkable decision the Court of Criminal Appeals actually upheld the rights of a DWI defendant. Unbelievable. Case-Roy Bob Bartlett vs. The State of Texas Facts- Roy Bob was charged with DWI. Roy Bob refused a…
Having a law blog guarantees a steady stream of email questions. It has come to my attention that many of you are pursuing a certain career, and worried about the effect of a criminal charge. Readers will send me information on some old criminal case in which they took a…
I’m only surprised MADD, TxDot, or DPS didn’t think of this first. We already use the fake DWI death/car crash and the fake DWI arrest to scare students. How long until we threaten them with eternal damnation? .cc_box a:hover .cc_home{background:url(‘http://www.comedycentral.com/comedycentral/video/assets/syndicated-logo-over.png’) !important;}.cc_links a{color:#b9b9b9;text-decoration:none;}.cc_show a{color:#707070;text-decoration:none;}.cc_title a{color:#868686;text-decoration:none;}.cc_links a:hover{color:#67bee2;text-decoration:underline;} RENO 911! Dressed for Hell…
First, a capital murder primer. Capital murder cases are those in which the death penalty is available, but not required. If the State waives the death penalty and a defendant is convicted of capital murder, the sentence is automatic life in prison. On capital appeals it too often seems that…
Deferred adjudication is the cause of a lot of confusion among defendants and attorneys. The main reason- deferred cases (except traffic tickets) can NOT be expunged. That pot case you took deferred probation on 5 years ago…. still on your record. Luckily, there are Texans dedicated to reforming this system…
I’m often surprised by the honesty of casual drug users. Too often they will confess their criminal indiscretions to the police. For example, many will consent to a police search of their car or volunteer that a joint is in a purse or glove box. Why would anyone volunteer incriminating…