Criminal Law Blog
Texas Police Corruption: Texas Rangers Arrest Chief of Police, Rest of Police Department Out the Door But Covington Still Very Afraid
A stone’s throw as the crow flies from Fort Worth is the tiny Texas town of Covington, and if you follow along Interstate 35 from downtown CowTown you’ll be in the heart of Covington in around 45 minutes. So, this story isn’t coming out of some backwoods, rural spot that’s living without the knowledge or…
Texas Judge Finds Probable Cause that Texas DA Illegally Withheld Evidence in Murder Trial of Michael Morton
We’ve been monitoring the case of Michael Morton – an innocent man who had been convicted of murder long ago in Williamson County. For all the details on what happened to Mr. Morton, check out our post from last month, which delves into the allegations of bad acts by the prosecutor at Morton’s criminal trial….
Dallas DA Ignores Criminal Court Judge’s Orders to Reveal Dallas Police Officers’ Criminal Histories to Defense Attorneys
When police officers take the witness stand, do jurors assume that these members of law enforcement have no criminal record? Most people would probably answer that question “yes,” but whether or not we should all assume that someone in uniform has no criminal history is the real question. Because here in Dallas County, there is…
Texas Judge Busted for Taking Bribes in Continuing FBI Sting: Ex El Paso Judge Tony Cobos Jailed
Tony Cobos, 44, full name Antonio Guillermo Cobos, only served one term on the state judicial bench over in El Paso, but that was time enough for Mr. Cobos to gut his legal career and maybe his freedom. As of yesterday morning, Cobos still sat in an El Paso jail cell, having some problems with…
Texas’ “No Refusal” DWI Campaign In National Spotlight As People Start to Realize It’s Violating Constitutional Civil Rights
Texas criminal defense attorneys hopefully will find a benefit from the growing national media attention to the state’s No Refusal campaigns that attempt to target drunk driving dangers but in doing so, endanger basic civil rights – something that every American should know. When rights are taken from you, there’s usually no advance invitation sent…
Suspicious Ray Gricar Actions as D.A. Investigating Penn State Child Abuse Makes Me Think Gricar Is Alive and Well, and the FBI Does Too
Ray Gricar is a name that most people recognize now, as the Penn State scandal just keeps getting bigger. It’s Ray Gricar’s story that I want to discuss, but first things first. Right now, this Pennsylvania DA is talked about like he’s dead, maybe a good guy…
Texas Prosecutors Come Under Increased Scrunity in Texas: Hank Skinner Stay Within Weeks of Michael Morton Release
Hank Skinner is still alive today thanks to a last minute stay granted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals – and it’s still open for debate whether or not his requests will be granted for DNA evidence to be tested. (For details on Hank Skinner’s case, check out our earlier posts here and here.)…
Texas DA Reported to Trade Cash for Freedom or Light Sentences. Lotsa Cash.
Texas District Attorney Lynda Kaye Russell, the head prosecutor for Shelby County, Texas, apparently is in big, big trouble if a news report from the Associated Press, which is being picked up all over the country, is accurate. Where’s Shelby County? It’s near the Texas – Louisiana border (you may recognize the area as Center,…
Texas Driver Responsibility Surcharge Nightmare: DPS Isn’t Following the New Law
Effective September 1, 2011, a new law went into effect here in Texas designed to help lots of folk convicted of a moving traffic violation, by changing the old law that required everyone who got a traffic ticket (including DWI) to pay a Driver Responsibility surcharge. For details, check out our post back in August…
Houston Police Officers Union Pillaged by Houston Cops: Matthew Calley Sentenced to 20 Years After Pleading Guilty to $650,000+ Theft, Two Other Cops Charged
Last week, retired Houston police officer Matthew Calley stood in front of a Harris County judge and said he was sorry for what he had done, but no one can know for sure if that apology swayed the judge at Mr. Calley’s sentencing hearing. Maybe it did, because the 25 year veteran could have been…
