Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association

Dear LCDLA Members:

Those of you who missed the February 15 LCDLA meeting shoulda been there. The 40-or-so folks in attendance enjoyed a very informative program from the Lubbock County Probation Office, elected new LCDLA officers and directors for 2007-2008, addressed the usual (and some unusual) bitch-and-moan problems we all endure, and generally had a very good time.

Bill McNamara had a very good suggestion, which is soon to be implemented on the LCLDA website, Member’s Only section. We all love to see our names emblazoned on the website in the “Victories” column, but Bill pointed out (after being recognized for two victories this month) that our most valuable lessons are often learned from cases lost. Therefore, a new column, “I Got My Ass Kicked” will soon appear in the Member’s Only section.* Members will report on their losses, how they lost, to whom, the judge’s conduct, etc.

In this way, the LCDLA website will offer valuable insight on what to expect in certain courts in regard to what may be admitted into evidence, rulings on suppression issues, punishment decisions, what to expect from certain prosecutors in regard to trial tactics, what cops to be wary of, what state’s experts need special handling, etc.

Details of several of our latest causes will be addressed on the LCDLA website, Member’s Only section.

Stay tuned.

Chuck Lanehart
Court Liaison

*No, this is not a joke.

The Lubbock Criminal Defense Lawyers Association will hold officer/director elections at the February 15 meeting, and nominations for officers/directors will be taken from the floor. The Nominating Committee has recommended the following slate of officers/directors, and each has agreed to serve:

President: Rusty Gunter
Secretary-Treasurer: Dennis Reeves
Vice-President for Education: Laurie Key
Vice-President for Membership: Donnie Yandell
Vice-President for Court Liaison: Chuck Lanehart
Director, Place 1 (2007-2010)*: Natalio Hernandez
Director, Place 2 (2006-2008)*: Trey McClendon
Director, Place 3 (2006-2009)*: Patrick Metze

*LCDLA Bylaws require three Directors with staggered terms, but LCDLA has done without directors for many years. Because of LCDLA’s recent growth in membership, activities and programs, the nominating committee felt that reinstating directors to the leadership establishment would be advisable. To accommodate the requirement of staggered terms, Director of Place 1 will initially serve a one-year term, with three-year terms thereafter. Similarly, Director of Place 2 will initially serve a two-year term, with three-year terms thereafter; and Director of Place 3 will initially serve a three-year term, with three-year terms thereafter.

This month’s meeting will be at the usual time and place, but on the 22nd instead of the 15th.

The monthly LCDLA meeting will take place April 27, not April 20, to allow everyone to attend Bosses’ Night.

LCDLA, the Lubbock Criminal District Attorney’s Office and the Lubbock County Bar Association is cosponsoring a reception honoring Alton Griffin next Thursday, December 22, 2005, at 6:00 p.m., at the Texas Tech Law School. All members of the bar are invited. Especially welcome are all those who Alton gave them their start. If you know an attorney who has relocated, please let them know of the reception. This is a great opportunity to say thanks to Alton for all he has done for us as lawyers and the inspiration he has given us as citizen warriors protecting the Constitution Alton spent 50 years defending.

Fred Bowers, former President of the Lubbock County Bar Association, was present at the meeting and received the LCDLA Special Recognition and Achievement Award for his courage in supporting LCDLA’s successful effort to remove the ill-fated victim’s monument from the Courthouse lawn.

PR Committee Chairperson, Jill Taylor-McCall reported her PR committee spoke to the Tulane baseball team September 27, 2005, and reminded them they aren’t in New Orleans any more. The committee met twice in the last month. The Tech/LCDLA brochures have been ordered and should arrive shortly. Jill asked for motto suggestions and said Brian Murray‘s suggestion was “inappropriate.” I thought it was a pretty good slogan.

Artie Aguilar announced the fight in the 106th may well be over as the DA there is now announcing his new open file policy. Congratulations to all who helped in this fight.

Dennis Reeves gave his report on our efforts to help the hurricane relief. The total gifts collected through LCDLA and paid to the Red Cross and Salvation Army were over $5000.00. This is just the money paid through our organization. Many members gave gifts of time and money outside of LCDLA. Thanks to all for the good Karma.

Mark Skelton reported our new brochures are at the printer and soon will be in your hand.

If you want to know about the new business we discussed, you should have come to the meeting. See you in November. We had over 50 people in attendance this month. Bring a friend next month. We’ve got the room. Keep reporting those victories.