Comments on: Bailout where it’s needed: public defender systems http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/ Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:28:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Paul B. Kennedy http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-43697 Paul B. Kennedy Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:08:24 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=1777#comment-43697 I agree that non-violent offenders should not be kept in jail. In Texas, the police have the option of citing and releasing certain offenders with a promise to appear in court. Only Travis County is availing itself of this option. Meanwhile, the Harris County Jail is at 95%+ capacity and the DA's office refuses to consider the issue of PR bonds for minor drug offenders. Absolutely absurd. Keep up the good fight. Paul B. Kennedy kennedy-law.biz I agree that non-violent offenders should not be kept in jail. In Texas, the police have the option of citing and releasing certain offenders with a promise to appear in court. Only Travis County is availing itself of this option.

Meanwhile, the Harris County Jail is at 95%+ capacity and the DA’s office refuses to consider the issue of PR bonds for minor drug offenders.

Absolutely absurd.

Keep up the good fight.

Paul B. Kennedy
kennedy-law.biz

]]> By: Monday Morning Jumpstart | a public defender http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-43380 Monday Morning Jumpstart | a public defender Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:03:04 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=1777#comment-43380 [...] light of my recent post about the plight of pd systems, Scott writes a stirring tribute to the public defender and hidden [...] [...] light of my recent post about the plight of pd systems, Scott writes a stirring tribute to the public defender and hidden [...]

]]> By: A Voice of Sanity http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-43362 A Voice of Sanity Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:08:46 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=1777#comment-43362 I'm sure the professional lawyers will howl me down, but I would seriously consider appearing pro se. I assume the judge would have the PD assist me and, despite the unconstitutional objections many have to hybrid representation, I would make my own opening statement and let the PD do the rest of the cross. When it came to my defense I would call the PD as my first witness and ask him(?) to estimate the amount of time the prosecutor and police spent on interviewing witnesses and studying the evidence and compare that to the time the PD spent do the same tasks. I think it would be interesting to get that into the record and see what effect it had on any reviews of the case. After all, what is the point of Gideon if the defense is a mere sham? I’m sure the professional lawyers will howl me down, but I would seriously consider appearing pro se. I assume the judge would have the PD assist me and, despite the unconstitutional objections many have to hybrid representation, I would make my own opening statement and let the PD do the rest of the cross. When it came to my defense I would call the PD as my first witness and ask him(?) to estimate the amount of time the prosecutor and police spent on interviewing witnesses and studying the evidence and compare that to the time the PD spent do the same tasks. I think it would be interesting to get that into the record and see what effect it had on any reviews of the case. After all, what is the point of Gideon if the defense is a mere sham?

]]> By: Victim http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-43332 Victim Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:41:29 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=1777#comment-43332 The CT Justice System is corrupt and broken. I am a victim of false arrest and an unjust prosecution. CT Legislators keep making laws that impact the working class; these laws don't affect THEM or the 'elite'. Without money to hire a HIGH PRICED attorney, the innocent are STUCK with plea bargains and probations. If you are a 'targeted' individual, the 'probation' hangs over your head waiting for the next false arrest that will send you to prison. This corrupt justice system allows for 'oppression' and 'discrimination' towards any race, religion, affilation, etc. As more and more of the middle class moves into the economically disadvantaged, the time WILL come for REFORM or REVOLUTION. The CT Justice System is corrupt and broken. I am a victim of false arrest and an unjust prosecution. CT Legislators keep making laws that impact the working class; these laws don’t affect THEM or the ‘elite’. Without money to hire a HIGH PRICED attorney, the innocent are STUCK with plea bargains and probations. If you are a ‘targeted’ individual, the ‘probation’ hangs over your head waiting for the next false arrest that will send you to prison. This corrupt justice system allows for ‘oppression’ and ‘discrimination’ towards any race, religion, affilation, etc. As more and more of the middle class moves into the economically disadvantaged, the time WILL come for REFORM or REVOLUTION.

]]> By: Ask and ye shall receive; or: don’t invite suggestions | a public defender http://apublicdefender.com/2008/11/14/bailout-where-its-needed-public-defender-systems/comment-page-1/#comment-43263 Ask and ye shall receive; or: don’t invite suggestions | a public defender Sun, 16 Nov 2008 02:15:00 +0000 http://apublicdefender.com/?p=1777#comment-43263 [...] One that makes a lot of sense and that I argued for yesterday: [...] [...] One that makes a lot of sense and that I argued for yesterday: [...]

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