Although the House and Senate Interim Study Charges have not been released, other independent studies on county issues are underway. The Supreme Court Permanent Judicial Commission for Children, Youth and Families has instituted a study of legal representation in Child Protective Services … [Read more...] about Studies of County Issues
Feature Story
THE ARCHITECT’S RECIPE FOR COURTHOUSE SECURITY
When architects, court agencies and users collaborate to design courthouses, safety and security are paramount in their objectives. One of the most well-known cases of courthouse violence took place in March 2005 in the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta, Ga., when Brian Gene Nichols escaped from custody and murdered the judge presiding over his trial, a court reporter, a … [Read more...] about THE ARCHITECT’S RECIPE FOR COURTHOUSE SECURITY
HURRICANE IKE – ONE YEAR LATER
It's been said, and rightly so, "What a difference a day makes!" In this case, it's been a little more than 365 days of difference in Galveston County, differences that absolutely no one could have predicted and no one could have believed would usher in a brighter day. On Sept. 12-13, Galveston County commemorated the passing of Hurricane Ike, recognizing that one year is … [Read more...] about HURRICANE IKE – ONE YEAR LATER
Wrongful Conviction
Sometimes emotions run so deep they are difficult to put into words. Consequently, when County Progress visited with Charles Allen Chatman about the 26-plus years he spent in a Texas prison for a crime he didn't commit, the interview was punctuated with long, thoughtful … [Read more...] about Wrongful Conviction
The County Role in Preventing Erroneous Imprisonment
Several months ago Gregg County Commissioner Darryl Primo launched efforts to form a committee to recommend adoption of a Biological Evidence Retention Policy for Gregg County in accordance with Article 38.43 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Touched by the plight of those wrongfully convicted … [Read more...] about The County Role in Preventing Erroneous Imprisonment