Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: MechAg94 on July 26, 2021, 01:11:18 PM

Title: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: MechAg94 on July 26, 2021, 01:11:18 PM: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/13-investigates-harris-county-district-judges-held-just-113-trials-during-pandemic-despite-backlog/ar-AAMswtE
I heard about this story today and thought it highlights what is happening in Houston. With the pandemic on top of bail reform, crime in Houston will get worse.
I figure this is with prosecutors probably plea bargaining every case they can.
Quote
A 13 Investigates analysis of court cases found that despite 90,257 backlogged cases, the 22 district judges elected to oversee the most serious criminal cases have only held 113 trials since last July, when the Supreme Court of Texas allowed judges to resume court during the pandemic.

For the highlighted case:
Quote
The judge overseeing the trial for Spivey's accused killer has held just one case over the last year.

Quote
With a 36% increase in homicides this year, the court's delays have gotten the attention of city leaders, who are pushing judges to go to trial quicker.

Of the 90,000 cases awaiting trial, 958 are for alleged murders. Since the pandemic began, our investigation found it takes an average of three years and 11 months after an alleged murder before a case goes to trial.

Judging by the numbers, this backlog started before the pandemic restrictions. Harris County went all Democrat in 2018. All the judges, DA, and County Judge.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: Hawkmoon on July 26, 2021, 05:10:57 PM: That one judge's supercilious attitude left me wanting to just smack him.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: just Warren on July 26, 2021, 05:22:38 PM: I'm sure though, that if you decided to defend yourself against the predations of one of their noble constituents they'd find time to put you on trial.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: WLJ on July 26, 2021, 05:25:49 PM: Bet it didn't impact their pay one bit
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: Hawkmoon on July 26, 2021, 07:45:52 PM: Quote from: WLJ on July 26, 2021, 05:25:49 PM
Bet it didn't impact their pay one bit

Therein lies the problem.

They should have been laid off and forced to live on unemplyoment until they started holding trials again.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: Jim147 on July 26, 2021, 09:08:17 PM: Trying to give the St. Louis prosecutor a run for the money.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: Bogie on July 26, 2021, 11:35:17 PM: Heh... A guy I know put together the "minor stuff" system for STL City (hey, 319,000, and it is a small town...). It is a zoom call, with automated payment system for fines - and it is actually working.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: MechAg94 on July 27, 2021, 11:56:35 AM: Quote from: Hawkmoon on July 26, 2021, 07:45:52 PM
Therein lies the problem.

They should have been laid off and forced to live on unemplyoment until they started holding trials again.
I believe they are elected.
Title: Re: Harris County district judges held just 113 trials during pandemic
Post by: MechAg94 on July 27, 2021, 11:57:08 AM: Quote from: just Warren on July 26, 2021, 05:22:38 PM
I'm sure though, that if you decided to defend yourself against the predations of one of their noble constituents they'd find time to put you on trial.
They would just deny you bail so you can sit and wait for your trial until they get around to it.