A bill recently passed by the Texas Legislature, and sitting on the Governor’s desk for his approval, is a statute that would reveal to teachers almost all the juvenile records of their students. The Legislation arose out of the stabbing death of a teacher in Tyler, Texas, by a juvenile who had a criminal record for violence.

Both the goal of protecting teachers, and giving juveniles an opportunity to start with a “clean slate” by protecting their privacy, are worthwhile goals. The balance that needs to be struck between the two is to limit the disclosure statute (more…)

Question:   “Can a lawyer talk to a victim?” – An innocent, young African-American man is falsely accused by a young white man of robbing him.  The young white man (alleged victim) was actually attempting to purchase marijuana from the African-American male when the police came to the scene.  The would-be marijuana purchaser got scared and lied to police, saying that he was being robbed by the young African-American man.  Before the trial, the defense lawyer for the African-American sees the white male outside the courtroom waiting to testify falsely.  The defense lawyer speaks very harshly to the young, white, would-be marijuana purchaser about lying (more…)

Question: Can a woman’s spiked high heel be a deadly weapon?  Answer: Yes.  Almost anything, including fists, when used in a manner intended and capable of causing serious bodily injury or death, can be considered a deadly weapon.