It is not Annise Parker's fault that you got a traffic ticket in the City of Pearland. [True story: someone made this assertion to one of the clerks at the window.]
If the prosecutor offers you a deferred, please take it.
Taking a case to trial in municipal court will almost always end up more expensive than taking the prosecutor's offer. (ESPECIALLY if you hire an attorney.)
Just because other people were speeding, it does not absolve you from your driving 20 mph over the speed limit.
Before you accuse an officer of profiling, it might be a good idea to make sure he or she isn't the same race as you are.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Funny story
So I've moved and I'm a city prosecutor in a growing suburb of Houston. I went from felonies to Class C misdemeanors, which means more trials, less stress, and more dealing with stupid people (as opposed to dealing with their attorneys).
Important thing to know for this story: There's a rule in this court (that is common in most courts) that people are not allowed to wear shorts. I don't mind bending the rule if someone is A) legitimately wearing a work uniform (like a USPS employee, etc.) or B) a woman wearing nice capri pants or some sort of matching set. That being said, if you come to court in jorts and expect that to fly when you've already been to court once and should rules about attire, I don't have much sympathy for you.
Yesterday we had pretrial settings in the morning and the afternoon. I was talking to someone in the courtroom and an officer came and got me to talk to a woman who was distraught about not being allowed in the courtroom while wearing above-knee-length jean shorts. I went out to talk to her, her case was set for trial since she wasn't going to be allowed in to the court, and I went back to my other conversation. Story over. Except, this morning I found out from our bailiff that when she was told she would not be allowed in the courtroom because of what she was wearing, this sobbing crazy person actually CALLED THE COPS on the bailiff. News flash, the "Mommy, she's being mean to me!" approach does not endear you to the prosecutor, the bailiff, or anyone else in court. You are told you can't come in the court because you are dressed inappropriatedly (which anyone who has EVER watched TV should know) and so you cry and call the cops? I shudder to think what else this 40-something-year-old woman has called the police about during her life.
Important thing to know for this story: There's a rule in this court (that is common in most courts) that people are not allowed to wear shorts. I don't mind bending the rule if someone is A) legitimately wearing a work uniform (like a USPS employee, etc.) or B) a woman wearing nice capri pants or some sort of matching set. That being said, if you come to court in jorts and expect that to fly when you've already been to court once and should rules about attire, I don't have much sympathy for you.
Yesterday we had pretrial settings in the morning and the afternoon. I was talking to someone in the courtroom and an officer came and got me to talk to a woman who was distraught about not being allowed in the courtroom while wearing above-knee-length jean shorts. I went out to talk to her, her case was set for trial since she wasn't going to be allowed in to the court, and I went back to my other conversation. Story over. Except, this morning I found out from our bailiff that when she was told she would not be allowed in the courtroom because of what she was wearing, this sobbing crazy person actually CALLED THE COPS on the bailiff. News flash, the "Mommy, she's being mean to me!" approach does not endear you to the prosecutor, the bailiff, or anyone else in court. You are told you can't come in the court because you are dressed inappropriatedly (which anyone who has EVER watched TV should know) and so you cry and call the cops? I shudder to think what else this 40-something-year-old woman has called the police about during her life.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Worst blogger ever
Worst blogger ever...that would be me. It's 2011 and I'm still in Lamesa. I've put almost 10,000 miles on my car since I bought it less than three months ago. (I think I'm about 100 miles short of 10,000.) I've applied to jobs in every county contiguous to Harris County, and some further away, and even the new Harris County Public Defender's office. I really want to move back to Houston. I miss Kyle. And Lisa. And my friends.
Work is okay. I'm up to six trials, four as first chair, and my record is 5-1. Two more trials coming up at the end of January, so hopefully those will go well.
Scout is good. She seems to have topped out at about 30 pounds, which is smaller than expected but a good size for me and our travel schedule.
I can think of trite things to add, but I think I'll pass on that for today, and wish everyone a happy new year. I hope you (and I) get everything you desire in 2011.
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