Concerned that mentally impaired indigents too often languish in their jail, Lubbock County officials are trying a new approach – a private defender’s office. It’s a hybrid; a cross between a public defender’s office and the assigned counsel system used in most Texas counties. Read the full article here.

Professor Metze had an appellate win in Cochran county. The State got an lesser included instruction on a lesser that did not exist. Kudos to Chris Dennis for preserving the error and Prof. Pat for getting the “three wise men” in Amarillo to recognize error when they see it. Good job guys.

Anna Ricker and Anna McSpadden Holland just won an appeal, reversed and remanded, with the sole point of error being the court’s denial of a requested charge of the defense of mistake of fact. Congratulations lady-gladiators!!!

Ted Hogan got a Probation from a jury last week on a Possession With Intent to Deliver where Mandi had offered 10 to do. That one goes in the “win” column. Good Job Ted!

In CCL#1, Chuck Lanehart et al had to win one the hard way (pick a jury, cross-examine witnesses, etc.). It was a no breath test case. Client age 30, very good appearance, very courteous and cooperative with the cop. Stop was for speeding and erratic driving. Cop wrote that client slurred his speech, but backed off after viewing video. Cop [...]

In CCL#2, Steve Hamilton and Nicky Boatwright won a motion to suppress evidence in a DWI case, as the jury panel was waiting for voir dire. The issue was the reasonable suspicion for the stop. Apparently, the cop was dispatched on a domestic violence call, and was given a description of a suspect vehicle. The vehicle was stopped without any [...]