What once would have got you detention or in house suspension can now get your child a ticket for disorderly conduct. Yes, according to The Texas Tribune, Texas Appleseed released new data this week regarding criminal citations issued in the schools. [Read more…]
Arson Suspected in El Paso Fires
Arson isn’t a very common crime, but when it does happen it is taken very seriously. According to the El Paso Times and Fire Rescue 1 a recent fire brings the number of burned homes to 5 for this month in one local region. [Read more…]
Congress Studies Alcohol Sensors in All Vehicles
A US Congressman is proposing spending $40 million to investigate, research, and develop technology for cars to automatically detect alcohol consumption by the driver. The goal would be to prevent drunk driving before it happens.
According to reports, there may be multiple methods for detecting alcohol consumption, including skin sensors in the steering wheel, and other methods to analyze perspiration and breath.
Questions this raises include:
- What would happen if the car detects alcohol? Presumably the car would not start, but would police be notified and criminal action taken?
- What is the threshold for measuring alcohol? Is it set lower than the legal limit of .08% BAC?
- What is the remedy to challenge any false positives?
- Can the devices be sure that it isn’t a passenger who many be intoxicated and not the driver?
Everyone wants to prevent drunk driving, but this kind of extremely intrusive monitoring that bypasses any presumption of innocence is frightening, and could be a dangerous precedent.
According to the report by KENS 5 in San Antonio, the devices could be standard in new vehicles within 5 or 10 years.
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Update: More info on the proposed car alcohol sensors here.
New Woodlands Crime Lab Ready for Evidence
A new toxicology lab in Montgomery County has law enforcement and many in the legal community looking forward to faster turnaround when it comes to processing criminal evidence. The Sam Houston State University Regional Crime Lab opened this year, though it hasn’t begun receiving cases yet. It is estimated, by The Courier, that the new lab will be able to handle about 6,000 cases each year. [Read more…]
Consequences of a Criminal Conviction in Texas
Any criminal conviction can affect your life for years to come, in ways you might not consider. That’s why it is always makes sense to speak to a criminal defense attorney about your legal options, even for minor offenses like drug possession or shoplifting. If you have a reasonable chance to beat a criminal charge in court, the lawyers fees may be the best money you ever spent. [Read more…]
Texas “No Refusal” Weekends Target Drunk Drivers
Texas is one of the few states that regularly holds “no refusal” weekends of aggressive DWI enforcement and prosecution. They may be employed on holiday weekends, or anytime law enforcement believes there may be an abundance of drunk drivers on the roads.
The term “no refusal” refers to a law enforcement tactic where they are set up to forcefully take of blood evidence from a suspected drunk drivers. [Read more…]
Questions in Texas “Sexting” Case
A teen in La Joya, TX is was arrested on criminal child pornography charges for possession of a nude photo of another teen. He admitted to having the photos, and was found with suggesting pictures of several other girls. [Read more…]
Texas DWI Surcharges Causing Court Headaches
DWI surcharges in Texas took effect in 2004, but have not brought the results the state had hoped for . The hefty fines were implemented to hopefully prevent DWI offenses by adding a further deterrent effect, and simultaneously raise money for roads and trauma care. But things didn’t work out that way and now there’s a grand total of $1 billion in unpaid surcharges according to The Dallas Morning News. [Read more…]
Texas Cop Guilty In Theft of Purse Contents
A Slaton Police officer was found guilty this past week of theft and now awaits sentencing. According to the Avalanche-Journal, the officer is a former Sergeant with the Slaton Department and was set up by his colleagues when he was suspected of drug abuse. [Read more…]
Dallas to Unveil New Property Crimes Court
In an effort to speed the process, Dallas officials have decided to start a specialty court just for property crimes. A stretched-thin system has many being held in jail for long periods awaiting trial and some feel this is working to the benefit of the defendants and the demise of the public.
Property crimes like this include thefts, burglaries, as opposed to crimes against other persons. [Read more…]
