Chuck Lanehart has had some success in reducing post-indictment bonds in the 106th District Court (Gaines, Garza, Dawson and Lynn Counties) recently. If you are interested, the form is available in the Members Only section: http://lcdla.org/members/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=49
Laurie Key has lined up a great program for the February 21 LCDLA meeting. Richard Anderson, Chief Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas, and his appellate section chief, Jason Hawkins, will travel from Dallas to give us a program on “The How’s and Why’s of the Recent Retroactive Amendments to the Federal Crack Guidelines.” The program will qualify for a half hour of FREE CLE.
I hope to see all of you February 21, at The Blue Light, 5:30 p.m.
The Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association will hold officer/director elections at the February 21 meeting, and nominations for officers/director will be taken from the floor. The Nominating Committee has recommended the following slate of officers/director, and each has agreed to serve:
President: Laurie Key
Secretary-Treasurer: Anne Hazlewood
Vice-President for Education: Mark Snodgrass
Vice-President for Membership: Trey McClendon
Vice-President for Court Liaison: Philip Wishkaemper
Director, Place 2 (2008-2011): Donnie Yandell
Director, Place 1 (2007-2010), Natalio Hernandez, has two years remaining on his current term. Director, Place 3 (2006-2009), Patrick Metze, has one year remaining on his current term.
I discovered last night that they finally released the new and vastly improved version of phpBB, which is the program that we use for the members only section. I’ve already installed it and now I’m going to switch the old over to the new one. The upgraded members only section is officially online.
Most importantly, you do NOT have to re-register for this. It’s exactly the same as it was a week ago, only the program that runs it is much better. The forums are still there, they’re in the same place, and everyone’s user names and passwords are exactly the same.
There were a few very important reasons why I made this upgrade. First, this new version allows anyone to attach a file to any post, which opens the door to the Brief Bank. Plus, it has a detailed log of the users and their activity, including what screen name was used to look at what posts. If someone illegally gets their hands on the site now, we’re going to have a detailed record of who it is and whose screen name is being used. Aside from fixing those two major problems, this upgraded version has a ton of improvements from the previous one, including (hopefully) an automated picture slideshow program for all the pictures that LCDLA collects.
If the members only section seems daunting to you, just stop for a second and look at it. It’s practically the same site as you’re used to seeing, with all the same links and buttons, only they should arranged better now and run more efficiently.
If you have any questions, let me know.
That’s all. Just wanted to tell everyone to have a safe and happy new year. 2008 is shaping up to be the best year ever.
In the last few days, our organization has received some outstanding publicity regarding our pro bono effort to assist young folks caught up in LPD’s party patrol debacle. Last week, the Lubbock Law Notes devoted its front page to an article I wrote, “Lubbock Lawyers Volunteer to Oppose ‘War Against College Kids’.” Quoted in the article are Rusty Gunter, Jill Stangl, Dennis Reeves, Trey McClendon, Joel Cook, Fred Stangl, Mark Snodgrass, Pat Metze, and David Guinn.
Today, the Texas Lawyer features a front-page article written by Mary Alice Robbins titled, “Tech Students Fight Party Patrol Citations With Pro Bono Help.” Mary Alice writes with a bit more balance and gives the LPD and City Attorney an opportunity to put in their two cents, but the article is very favorable toward LCDLA. In addition to quotes from a couple of our clients, LCDLA members mentioned in the Texas Lawyer article are Jill and Fred Stangl, Mark Snodgrass, Dennis Reeves, Pat Metze, Trey McClendon, and me.
Good job, LCDLA!
Check out a special holiday greeting from your LCDLA officers on the Member’s Only section. You will not want to miss this!
I have been asked to write an article for The Lubbock Law Notes regarding LCDLA’s pro bono efforts defending clients in LPD’s War on College Kids. Please send me any information you have regarding (1) increase in kids seeking help on MIP’s, Noise Violations, etc. (2) search/seizure issues arising from your client’s cases, (3) any anecdotal stories regarding the cases, such as reported threats of the use of Tazer devices if kids don’t comply, splitting up the party into 21-yrs old and over and giving citations to everyone, etc.
There is an important message from Stephen Hamilton on the Members Only regarding a recent DWI ruling. http://lcdla.org/members/viewtopic.php?p=22
