Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association

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HCCLA 2025 Judicial Bar Poll

March 18, 2025 Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Murray Newman
, HCCLA Past President
(713) 864-2080 or email

HCCLA 2025 JUDICIAL BAR POLL

HCCLA Judicial Poll RESULTS

Houston, Texas – March 18, 2025 – The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) recently conducted a judicial bar poll of the Association’s membership. This poll is an evaluation of the judiciary in all 16 Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and 29 Criminal District Courts.

The primary purpose of the judicial bar poll is to improve the criminal justice system and better inform the public of Association members’ opinions about the judiciary serving in Harris County’s criminal courts. HCCLA members are criminal defense lawyers and familiar with the courts.

Murray Newman, HCCLA Past President, added “Unlike other polls in the Harris County legal community, this poll is by lawyers who actually practice in the criminal courts of Harris County, Texas.”

Results of the judicial bar poll should not be viewed as an endorsement by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, which does not endorse or oppose candidates. The poll is not a scientific survey. It is a non-partisan poll by current members of the Association and has no bearing on any election. Use of the poll results for other purposes is not intended or encouraged.

The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association does not endorse any judge or candidate for judicial office, and the results of the Judicial Bar Poll are not an endorsement by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association.

The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association is one of the largest local criminal defense bars in the United States with more than 600 active members.

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Filed Under: constitution, judges, press release

HCCLA 2024 Judicial Bar Poll

February 19, 2024 Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Murray Newman
, HCCLA President
(713) 864-2080 or email

HCCLA 2024 JUDICIAL BAR POLL

HCCLA Judicial Bar Poll RESULTS

Houston, Texas – February 19, 2023 – The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (HCCLA) recently conducted a judicial bar poll of the Association’s membership. This poll is an evaluation of the judiciary in all 16 Harris County Criminal Courts at Law and 26 Criminal District Courts.

The primary purpose of the judicial bar poll is to inform the public of Association members’ opinions about the judiciary serving in Harris County’s criminal courts. HCCLA members are criminal defense lawyers and familiar with the courts.

Murray Newman, HCCLA President, added “Unlike other polls in the Harris County legal community, this poll is by lawyers who actually practice in the criminal courts of Harris County, Texas.”

Results of the judicial bar poll should not be viewed as an endorsement by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, which does not endorse or oppose candidates. The poll is not a scientific survey. It is a non-partisan poll by current members of the Association and has no bearing on the election. Use of the poll results for other purposes is not intended or encouraged.

The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association does not endorse any judge or candidate for judicial office, and the results of the Judicial Bar Poll are not an endorsement by the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association.

The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association is one of the largest local criminal defense bars in the United States with more than 600 active members.

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Filed Under: judges, Members, membership, press release

Criminal Court Reopening and Public Health in the COVID-19 Era

July 13, 2020 Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mark Thiessen
, HCCLA President
(713) 864-9000 or email: Mark Thiessen

 

July 13, 2020 – Houston, Texas – In an effort to provide solutions to this unprecedented Pandemic, we wanted to draw your attention to the June 2020 Statement of Principles and Report by the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL) entitled Criminal Court Reopening and Public Health in the COVID-19 Era.  

Please let this letter suffice as HCCLA’s formal adoption of this report. We urge you to take the time to read the core principles for reopening criminal courts which specifically affect us all. 

 

Thank you for your attention and time. Please feel free to contact me any time to discuss how we can move forward while keeping the safety of all of us as the upmost of importance.

Download (PDF, 1.59MB)

Download (PDF, 515KB)

Filed Under: COVID-19, judges, press release

NRG Plan

June 29, 2020 Leave a Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mark Thiessen
, HCCLA President
(713) 864-9000 or Mark Thiessen

NRG Plan to Resume Jury Trials

June 29, 2020 – Houston, Texas – HCCLA sent the following letter to Hon. Judge Susan Brown, Presiding Judge, 11th Judicial Administrative Region regarding the plan to implement jury trials at the NRG Stadium.

Download (PDF, 529KB)

 

 

 

Filed Under: judges, press release

PR: Judges Risk Spreading Pandemic

May 27, 2020 1 Comment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Mark Thiessen
, HCCLA President
(713) 864-9000 or Mark Thiessen

JUDGES RISK SPREADING PANDEMIC

May 27, 2020 – Houston, Texas – The Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association (“HCCLA”) is the largest local criminal defense bar in the United States, with more than 700 active members engaged in defense of citizens accused of criminal acts. HCCLA has, for 50 years, stood for criminal justice, criminal justice reform, and against government and judicial overreach.

Since March 2020, Harris County and the State of Texas have been under a state of emergency. In fact, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared all 254 Texas counties to be in a state of disaster caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic. In response, and in an effort to ensure the safety of judges, jurors, court staff, officers, the criminally accused, and attorneys, HCCLA board members and officers have worked tirelessly alongside numerous high ranking members of virtually every government agency in Harris County. Thanks to the unprecedented cooperation between all entities involved, this partnership implemented a system to maintain the Harris County criminal justice system, while ensuring the health and safety of the citizens remain a top priority in these historic times.

On Tuesday, May 26, 2020, a large crowd was required by certain judges to appear in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center (HCCJC). Large lines of presumptively innocent people formed in front of the HCCJC, leading to these same individuals being forced to wait in the HCCJC hallways, where there can be no effective social distancing. This is in direct violation of the county engineer’s orders for the number of persons to be present in the HCCJC at any given time.

Image may contain: one or more people, shoes, tree and outdoor

Line of people required to appear in court outside the Harris County Criminal Justice Center on May 26, 2020.

In further violation of the county engineer’s order, Harris County Judge Lina Hildago’s orders, the Texas Supreme Court’s orders, the Office of Court Administration’s directives, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s orders, social distancing was neither required nor enforced. Consequently, the lives of these human beings – and HCCJC staff – were wantonly and unnecessarily put at risk. People in this great nation, this fine state, and the largest county in Texas, are still dying from COVID-19 at alarming rates. Per media reports, no less than 6 lives connected to the HCCJC have been lost – be they jailers or inmates awaiting resolution of their cases – with many more having suffered infection from this debilitating, fatal disease. HCCLA is aware of reports even one judge has fallen to COVID-19.

HCCLA strongly condemns these unwarranted and reckless court actions that endanger the lives of the presumptively innocent accused, HCCJC staff, and our members. It is not lost on HCCLA that the very persons elected to follow the law, ensure dignity, and preserve constitutional rights are threatening the very same in the name of expediency and hubris. Image may contain: one or more people, tree, sky, crowd and outdoor

HCCLA will vigorously oppose any court action by a judicial officer risking the lives of the accused, the defense bar, or HCCJC staff.  HCCLA calls on all courts to act in a responsible and humane fashion.

Unless and until these orders are modified or rescinded, HCCLA demands the judiciary comply, as the Harris County population must. There are to be no in-person court appearances required on non-essential matters until such time as the medical community has deemed the threat of COVID-19 to have either passed or significantly diminished. These are the orders the judiciary shall obey. The health and safety of the community is not a negotiable matter.

Filed Under: judges, press release

Mass Pleas of Guilty

April 29, 2017 Leave a Comment

RF1

(Reprinted from The Defender, Winter 2006)

$300 million is a lot of money. So maybe, just maybe, we ought to think about this expenditure.

First of all, why do we need to lock up more people? Are we about to have a sudden crime wave? No. Maybe this need for more jail space is necessitated by the need to keep up the local trend of misusing the jail space we already have. What do I mean by that?

There are two kinds of people in jail: Those that belong there and those that don’t. I would argue that many of the 9,000 people currently in jail do not need to be there. Restated, the taxpayers are paying to house a lot of people the taxpayers should not be paying to house.

Who is in jail? People who are charged and not convicted and people who have been convicted who are serving a sentence.

There are far too many people in jail who arc charged and not convicted. behind-bars

There are far too many presumably innocent people in jail with cases pending. If you really want to free up some jail space give these people bond. Bond is not supposed to be used as a form of punishment, but it is. Far too often people arc stuck in jail because they simply cannot afford bond. If you don’t believe me, go to any of our fifteen county courts or our twenty-two district courts on a Monday morning and start counting heads of those who didn’t make bond.

Why are these people still in jail on Monday, when anybody with any sense and money would have bonded out? The answer is simple: They are still in jail because they are too poor to make bond.

If you cannot afford to make a $500 misdemeanor bond by definition you are poor. So we keep presumably innocent people in jail in this county because they arc poor. This is wrong. Supposedly we got rid of debtors’ prison a long time ago. Truth is, we still have it.

Since poor folks cannot afford to make misdemeanor bonds or state jail bonds, they arc cluttering up the jails. Why then aren’t they getting PR Bonds or Pre-trial Release Bonds? Can anybody answer that? I haven’t heard a good answer yet, and they are not all homeless.

Let me suggest a two-part answer: First, the judges, while well-intentioned, are still elected by voters who don’t know who they are. The judges worry about the “nightmare case” where they give a guy a Pre-trial Release Bond and he goes out and kills someone. So what do the judges do? They don’t grant Pre-trial Release Bonds. It’s safer for the judge to leave the presumably innocent person in jail then to release him on Pretrial Release Bond. While it may be politically safer for the judge, it is far more dangerous to the fundamental tenets of our system for the judge to keep the presumably innocent locked up for political reasons.

What is the second reason judges don’t grant Pre-trial Release Bonds? Well, the Pre-trial Release folks are simply overworked. A long time ago Pre-trial Release was created, at least in part, to provide an avenue to allow judges to release presumably innocent indigents on bond. I remember it actually happening at the old courthouse. Now, though, the same Pretrial service people are bogged down with their new job: Supervising bond conditions for those people lucky enough to actually make bond. If you don’t believe me, just go to the twelfth floor and watch.

As the years have worn on, the judges for a number of reasons have added more and more conditions to even the most mundane bonds. It has gotten to the point that bond conditions in some courts virtually mirror conditions of probation. Walk into any court and listen as bond conditions are set and you will swear the person has just pled guilty and is being sentenced. Nope. He is just getting bond conditions set. Once those conditions are set someone has to supervise them. Guess who? You got it, the good folks in Pre-trial Services.

So why are our jails overcrowded with presumably innocent folks?
Because, the courts refuse to utilize Pre-trial Services for its proper purpose.

What is the net effect? Defendants who are presumably innocent remain in custody. What happens to all these poor people who are denied Pretrial Release Bond? How is all this resolved for them?

The answer is simple and revolting to any sense of justice: Mass pleas of guilty.

Everyone reading this knows what I am talking about. Every Monday morning the lawyer for the day appears. He is assigned to represent 6-8 people. He goes back, says “Hi” to all his spanking new clients and then the District Attorney’s office extends offers. If “Joe” pleads guilty he gets thirty days, or if he wants to go to trial he can tee it up in sixty to ninety days. “Joe” takes the thirty. The system is set up to keep poor people in jail and to encourage pleas of guilty. If you have a choice of pleading guilty and getting out in ten days or pleading not guilty and maybe getting out in ninety days which choice would YOU take?

People who are presumably innocent are kept in jail and they plead guilty and they fill up our jails. It’s been our system far too long. A lot of people will probably not like my criticism of the system. Undoubtedly, I am painting with a broad stroke. But it is all true.

We don’t need to spend $300 million to build more jails; we need to let people out on Pre-trial Release Bonds and our jail problem will be solved. While we are at it, the courts need to stop illegally revoking bonds. When clients show up without an attorney that is no basis to revoke bond. Having an attorney is a right, not an obligation of bond.

In the meantime we can use that $300 million to support education and employment opportunities in the inner city. We can use that money to pay for drug rehabilitation and to support drug court. We have enough people in jail in Harris County.

Let’s take a hard look at our system and institute some long overdue changes. The solutions are as evident as the problems. All we need is the willingness to be honest with ourselves and the desire to do better.

Filed Under: Defender, jail, judges Tagged With: bail, harris county, Robert Fickman

MADD About Bias

February 26, 2016 Leave a Comment

Have you been in Harris County Criminal Court at Law #2 lately? If so, you may have noticed the long present and blatantly offensive M.A.D.D. plaque is now absent, thanks to a reprimand from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct following a complaint by HCCLA.

For years, Judge William “Bill” Harmon arrogantly and inappropriately displayed his Mother’s Against Drunk Driving award on the bench in County Court #2. Despite requests from HCCLA and lawyers that it be removed, especially during DWI trials, Judge Harmon persisted in its display. During at least one trial, the potential jurors seated in the gallery responded they could see and read the M.A.D.D. plaque; they knew the meaning of the acronym so prominently displayed on the plaque; they even found its display ironic and uncomfortable. The display represented exactly what judges are supposed to avoid – an appearance of bias or impropriety.

One of the most basic canons judges must follow is to remain impartial and avoid even an appearance of impropriety. This is why the display was offensive. This is why HCCLA was compelled to take action and file a formal complaint with the State Commission on Judicial Conduct when Judge Harmon refused to remove the display. The direct result of our complaint was a private reprimand against Judge Harmon for this behavior.

For a judge who routinely hears DWI cases to display a perceived alliance with M.A.D.D. is beyond an appearance of bias. It very plainly shows a bias or prejudice against those who come before the court. Imagine being charged with DWI and walking into court to see that Mothers Against Drunk Drivers has honored the judge for his assistance in their plight. Would you trust that judge to be fair in your case? No, you wouldn’t. Does that bias instill a public trust in the judicial office? Of course not.

This inappropriate display finally came to an end with a private reprimand from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct. The Commission is a state agency created under the Texas Constitution responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct and for disciplining judges who run afoul of the judicial canons that govern their conduct.

Following a request for the plaques removal, several court opinions, and finally an HCCLA complaint to the Commission, Judge Harmon has finally removed the offending display. One would have thought the suggestion that perhaps Judge Harmon would “do the right thing” following a recusal hearing would have received his attention. One would have thought the remarks of Judge Sharp, First Court of Appeals, expressing that the sanctuary of a public courtroom should be free from special interests groups and agendas would have mattered. One would have thought a Court of Criminal Appeals opinion condemning this display would have caused Judge Harmon to take note. But alas, Judge Harmon continued his offensive display of perceived bias against alcohol related cases and defendants who came before him on a daily basis.

Even during the almost year of a pending judicial misconduct complaint, Judge Harmon maintained his display. Absurdly Judge Harmon even suggested to the Commission during its investigation that photographs of the display, made part of the complaint, were staged or altered.

Right around the first of the year, the plaque mysteriously abandoned its home on the bench. Come to find out, Judge Harmon seemed to be aware of an impending decision of reprimand coming from the Commission.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct took action on our complaint. The Commission issued a private reprimand against Judge Harmon. The Commission cited his display of the plaque as against his obligation to avoid the appearance of impropriety and his bizarre comments regarding the motion to recuse him for failing to remove the plaque. In this side issue, the Commission noted Judge Harmon’s improper ruling on the face of the recusal motion. Harmon had written it was clear to the defendant that the judge was impartial based on her decision to elect judicial punishment in the event of a guilty verdict. However, the law does not allow the judge to make a response to a recusal; his duty is merely to refer the motion to be heard by a neutral magistrate.

All-in-all, despite requests and admonishments, Judge Harmon refused to remove the offensive display from the public courtroom. HCCLA saw no alternative but to file a formal complaint with the Commission. And, thankfully, the Commission took action and issued its reprimand.

Many thanks to Tyler Flood for challenging the issue and providing us with great documentation of the conduct. Thanks to Robert Fickman, Andrea Podlesney, and Mark Bennett for their fine work in drafting the grievance. Many folks came forward and provided the evidence and documentation to support the complaint. Thank you to all.

The body of the complaint and the letter from the State Commission on Judicial Conduct can be viewed and downloaded below.

The Houston Chronicle reported the private sanction on Saturday, February 27, 2016 on page B2.

Download (PDF, 9.77MB)

Download (PDF, 268KB)

Filed Under: appearance of impropriety, judges, judicial complaint, justice, Public Trust, transparency Tagged With: complaint, Judge Bill Harmon, Judge William Harmon, reprimand

Rudolph (and gifts to judges)

December 21, 2015 Leave a Comment

Rudolph
By: Robert Pelton (HCCLA Past President)

rudolph

Rudolph by Annslee Pelton (granddaughter to Robert Pelton)

All of you have heard the song, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and are familiar with its main character Rudolph. Rudolph was created in 1939 by Robert May, an employee of Montgomery Ward. Although sources vary as to whether May created the story of Rudolph to promote sales at the Christmas season or to give as a gift to his young daughter to bring her comfort, May was doing his best to keep his job and comfort his child because Ms. May was dying of cancer.

May was picked on and bullied as a child, and the story of Rudolph was based on those personal experiences. Rudolph was Santa’s 9th reindeer who was mocked by the other reindeers because of his shiny red nose. Like May, Rudolph was mocked and bullied, but in the end, Rudolph became the hero when he was chosen to lead Santa’s sleigh on a foggy Christmas Eve.

Johnny Marks, Robert May’s brother-in-law, actually wrote the song “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” My friend Carol Erickson remembers Johnny Marks, who served as a Captain in the Army during World War II. Carol’s dad served in the same unit as Johnny. After the war, Carol remembered Johnny coming to her house wearing a red suit and driving a new red Cadillac. Johnny tried to pitch the song to many popular singers such as Dinah Shore, Perry Como, Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra, but none were interested. At the urging of his wife, my hero and family friend Gene Autry recorded the song in 1949. It was an immediate hit and became one of the top songs in music history selling millions of copies.

“Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” has become a piece of modern folklore and a metaphor for overcoming obstacles, embracing the difference and recognizing everyone’s unique potential. As you review the lives of your clients in an ethical manner, you may find a little or a lot of Rudolph in them. Your client may have come from a broken and dysfunctional home, or have learning disabilities or mental issues. It is important to get your client’s full life history. The recommendation is that you go back three generations in your client’s life. No matter how bad and bleak the case looks, there may, and probably will, be some social redeeming qualities.

It is our job to zealously defend our clients in an ethical manner. If your client is a veteran, get all of his records whether good or bad. Also get a copy of the school and medical records. Do not forget to have your client stop all social media, especially Facebook. Serious prosecutors will be checking to see what a defendant has posted. If your client is in jail, warn him to be aware letters can be read and may be used against him and to beware of phone calls from jail. Be mindful of conversations in the hallways at the courthouse. It has happened that bystanders including law enforcement have testified about what they heard.

Once your investigation is complete, you may find your “Rudolph” has a history that will help him guide the sleigh to a positive outcome, or produce mitigation of the punishment. Even the worst among us has done something right in life. The research done on the ancestors of your client may help explain and or excuse his behavior. As my psychiatrist friend Geoff Grubb believes – only a very small percentage of humans are “Born to be Wild.” The remaining commit crimes because of many factors: poverty, inferiority complex, peer pressure, opportunity, desperation, drugs, depression, mental disorders, overpopulation, politics, racism, TV violence, and regionalism.

Like Rudolph, your client’s life may be changed forever if given the chance. If your “Rudolph” has alcohol or drug problems, enroll them in AA or NA. Encourage them to get a job, go to school and church, and any other positive thing that will help get them back on the right track.

Always remember: Santa Claus and the Grievance Committee are watching you.

 

ACCEPTANCE OF HOLIDAY GIFTS BY JUDGE AND STAFF

Opinion No. 194 (1996)

QUESTION: Is it a violation of Canon 4(d)(4) of the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct for a judge, court coordinator, court reporter (and clerks and bailiffs) to:

  1. accept holiday or seasonal gifts (assuming such to be commensurate with the occasion); or
  2. attend holiday or seasonal law firm parties?

ANSWER 1: Yes. A judge may only accept a gift from a friend for a special occasion and then only if the gift is fairly commensurate with the occasion and the relationship. Canon 4D(4)(b). A Judge may accept any other gift only if the donor is not a party or person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge. Canon 4D(4)(c). Opinion No. 44.

Texas Judicial Ethics Opinions Page 115 of 170

The Committee concludes that a holiday or seasonal gift from a lawyer or law firm where a lawyer is not a friend is prohibited. Where a friendship exists, the gift must be commensurate with the occasion and the judge must be mindful of Canon 2A and should act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary. A judge should not convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. Canon 2B. Opinion No. 39.

ANSWER 2: No. A judge may attend holiday or seasonal law firm parties if the party is open to people other than judges and court personnel. Rule 4D(4)(b) and Opinion No. 39 permits a judge to accept ordinary social hospitality. The judge should act in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and should not convey or permit others to convey the impression that they are in a special position to influence the judge. Canon 2(A) and (B).

The answers above apply equally to the judge’s staff, court officials and others subject to the judge’s direction and control. Canon 3C(2) provides a judge should require staff, court officials and others subject to the judge’s direction and control to observe the standards of fidelity and diligence that apply to the judge. See Canon 3B(2) Code of Judicial Conduct, September 1, 1974, through December 31, 1993, and Opinions 110, 112 and 140 applying Code to court personnel.

 

Here is the main code provision that would apply to gifts:

Canon 4D:

(4)     Neither a judge nor a family member residing in the judge’s household shall accept a gift, bequest, favor, or loan from anyone except as follows:

(a)     a judge may accept a gift incident to a public testimonial to the judge; books and other resource materials supplied by publishers on a complimentary basis for official use; or an invitation to the judge and spouse to attend a bar-related function or activity devoted to the improvement of the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice;

(b)     a judge or a family member residing in the judge’s household may accept ordinary social hospitality; a gift, bequest, favor, or loan from a relative; a gift from a friend for a special occasion such as a wedding, engagement, anniversary, or birthday, if the gift is fairly commensurate with the occasion and the relationship; a loan from a lending institution in its regular course of business on the same terms generally available to persons who are not judges; or a scholarship or fellowship awarded on the same terms applied to other applicants;

(c)     a judge or a family member residing in the judge’s household may accept any other gift, bequest, favor, or loan only if the donor is not a party or person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge;

(d)     a gift, award or benefit incident to the business, profession or other separate activity of a spouse or other family member residing in the judge’s household, including gifts, awards and benefits for the use of both the spouse or other family member and the judge (as spouse or family member), provided the gift, award or benefit could not reasonably be perceived as intended to influence the judge in the performance of judicial duties.

 

Ancillary to that would be the requirement to report certain gifts (depending on the value) in annual personal financial statements. That reporting requirement is for those officeholders who file reports with the Texas Ethics Commission or with the local county clerk per the Election Code. It is also generally covered under Canon 4I:

  1. Compensation, Reimbursement and Reporting.

(1)     Compensation and Reimbursement. A judge may receive compensation and reimbursement of expenses for the extra-judicial activities permitted by this Code, if the source of such payments does not give the appearance of influencing the judge’s performance of judicial duties or otherwise give the appearance of impropriety.

(a)     Compensation shall not exceed a reasonable amount nor shall it exceed what a person who is not a judge would receive for the same activity.

(b)     Expense reimbursement shall be limited to the actual cost of travel, food, and lodging reasonably incurred by the judge and, where appropriate to the occasion, by the judge’s family. Any payment in excess of such an amount is compensation.

(2)     Public Reports. A judge shall file financial and other reports as required by law.

Finally, as you know, some gifts are illegal and could result in criminal charges under Chapter 36 of the Penal Code.

 

Robert Pelton is an HCCLA past-president and remains active in both HCCLA and TCDLA, as such, this articles is also reprinted in TCDLA’s online Voice for the Defense

Filed Under: appearance of impropriety, judges, Members Tagged With: gifts, holidays, judges, rudolph

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