A proposed law in Texas would make it a felony to “intentionally touch someone’s private areas” unless there was probable cause that the person had something illegal concealed there. This would apply to searches on top of the clothing as well and is an obvious response to the many complaints heard across the country about invasive pat downs in airports by the TSA. [Read more…]
Crime Tip: Don’t Gloat on Facebook
This isn’t the first time someone’s been caught, at least in part, because of their status messages and photos on a popular social networking site. But the story does serve as another cautionary reminder not to gloat about your latest criminal activities on Facebook. [Read more…]
Texas Jails Hold Thousands With Untreated Mental Illness
The mentally ill seem to have drawn the short straw again this year as the state stands to cut funding to many community care programs, treatment, and counseling organizations. The state is already ranked 49th in terms of spending on mental health and it’s only going to get worse. With fewer and fewer community resources for the mentally ill, the police and local jails are left dealing with issues they simply aren’t equipped to handle. [Read more…]
Houston’s “Hot Spot” Policing Has Limited Success
When crime is on the uptick in one neighborhood, Houston Police send a mass of officers to that area in what’s called “hot spot” policing. But a new study shows the benefits of this tactic are limited and may result in the Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) losing some of its 70 officers. [Read more…]
Proposed Changes To Texas Prisons and Probation
In an effort to save the state money, lawmakers are considering changes to the prison system and probation. According to the American Statesman, the proposed changes, being added to House Bill 3386, could save the state millions at a time when we are struggling to stretch what we have. [Read more…]
Travis County Offers Unique Felony Deferred Prosecution Program
The only one of its kind in the state, a deferred prosecution program in Travis County allows a second chance for some fortunate and remorseful felony-accused defendants. Though not all prosecutors are supportive of this move, the Travis County DA stands by her decision to screen some first-time, nonviolent offenders into programs that save them from a criminal record. [Read more…]
Texas Study Examines True Cost of Budget Cuts for Criminal Justice Issues
It seems that every state is scrambling for ways to cut the budget this year and Texas is no different. While many are looking to their huge corrections budgets to take funding away from, a new study in Texas took a long hard look at proposed cuts there and what they would mean, and cost in the long run. [Read more…]
Harris County DA Turns Justice Into Game
The very same District Attorney who was elected on a platform that said “Judges aren’t referees, and justice is not a game” has turned her office into a playing field, offering prosecutors rewards for taking cases to trial rather than settling them through plea bargains. In 2008 she said convictions shouldn’t be “about the counting of scalps”, according to the Houston Chronicle. [Read more…]
Texas Crime Commission Recommends Sobriety Checkpoints
An organization of law enforcement officials has made their legislative wish-list. The North Texas Crime Commission got together last week to discuss recommendations in the world of law enforcement and crime control. Among their wishes—a return to sobriety check points. [Read more…]
Former Texas Convict Shares Story of Mistaken Eyewitness Testimony
Although the woman who was raped in 1983 initially told police Michael Anthony Green wasn’t one of the four who hurt her, she later changed her tune when Green was in a lineup. This changed account would end up sending Green, then 18, to prison for 27 years. [Read more…]