Ever wondered how DPS operates their DWI blood testing machine? Probably not. But if you are a DWI attorney, or defendant, this is an important topic.
I am proud to present the Texas Department of Public Safety’s
Standard Operating Procedures for Blood Alcohol Analysis by Gas Chromatography
I filed an open records request for documents pertaining to the Cherry Pit raid. I received the affidavit used to search the premises and the investigation report.
Few things on the highway are as ubiquitous as a cop hiding from view, armed with a radar gun. As long as local governments have needed tax revenue, radar guns have been used to fine speeders.
How exactly does a radar gun work? Can this information help beat your ticket?
See for yourself. Here is a copy of the Radar Operations Manual from the Texas Department of Public Safety. Happy reading.
I’m off to Austin to speak at Netroots Nation. I’m in the Open Records Laws For Bloggers roundtable with some other great speakers.
Here is the official Robert Guest guide to Texas Open Records Law For Bloggers
If you don’t want to read two pages of brilliant public information information, here is the three sentence version.
Besides being inaccurate, Intoxilyzer machines break down frequently.
Last year Kaufman County’s DWI breath test machine was taken out of service. Here is what happened.
Reference Sample
RACIAL PROFILING PROHIBITED. A peace officer may
not engage in racial profiling.
-Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 2.131
Collin County has jumped on the Vampire Prosecutor bandwagon with “no refusal” DWI weekends. A recent DMN story featured a Collin County ADA talking about their new tough on DWI blood draw program.
I filed an open records request for communications, documents, memos etc regarding implementation of this program. After all, if the Collin County District Attorney is so proud of this program then why not share the details with the public?
As usual, the CCDA sought to keep the records secret via the Attorney General. Cheap “tough on crime” PR stunts are easy for bureaucrats. Actually revealing what they are doing to the public is always met with resistance.
Sentry, is an online snitch program run by the Department of Public Safety. Sentry allows the public to make anonymous reports of criminal/terrorist activity. From the DPS website-
Take an active role in Texas Homeland Security! Join in the war on terrorism by submitting information about unusual, suspicious and/or criminal activities. You CAN make a difference! Take an active role in Texas Homeland Security! Join in the war on terrorism by submitting information about unusual, suspicious and/or criminal activities. You CAN make a difference!
Citizen Informants- Historically Not Good For Freedom
Ratemycop.com is a new website where the public can post information on law enforcement. RMC is sending out open records requests to Texas law enforcement agencies. District Attorney offices are responsible for handling some Open Records requests.
How do you think prosecutors feel about Open Records/RateMyCop.com? Let’s ask Jim Tirey of Plainview, Texas. From the TDCAA message board.
There are many PIA requestors who are merely out to harass a particular government organization. They make hundreds, if not thousands of requests on a continuing basis. The government entity has to comply; there is no exception for harassing requests.
Recap-
I am participating in a WikiFOIA open records project. Open records requests are being sent to all 50 governors to see if their interoffice email is available to the public.
I sent a open records request to Rick Perry. I asked for all emails to and from the Office of the Governor for four days.
Dallas Criminal Defense Lawyer Blog