APD Initiative regarding Holiday Traffic Crackdown, read here: http://ping.fm/yDS40

Residents of downtown are taking issue with live music in the live music capital...http://ping.fm/EpW3b

Man arrested in 1986 Morton slaying has long criminal history
http://ping.fm/KmT0O

Here is another fine example of how the Texas Judicial System refuses to accept a death row inmates chances of proving innocence. http://ping.fm/RPgJI

Craiglist Ad Beware - http://ping.fm/2CVF4

No Refusal Strikes Again - http://ping.fm/1rkY9

http://ping.fm/Sp83e

REMEMBER: NO REFUSAL WEEKEND ALL DAY HALLOWEEN THRU TUESDAY MORNING! BE ALERT AND SAFE!

Urgent Law Update: Changes in Expuntion Law http://ping.fm/r1bPI

APD Officer Suspended - http://ping.fm/TnDo0

Another possible wrongful conviction in Texas http://ping.fm/rnBap

6th Street Safety being addressed http://ping.fm/pbVNU

Illegal handicap parkers beware in downtown Austin, read more here...http://ping.fm/3CDvm

So apparently the ATF has decided that medical treatment of marijuana now constitutes addiction in the eyes of the law. Read here...
http://ping.fm/vXqWY

Where is the law on Family Violence going?

http://ping.fm/JFC6S

http://ping.fm/JFC6S

APD Get in on the Techie Side of Life

It would appear that even our law enforcement have come over to the Tech side! Yup. Austin Police Department announced that they now have their very own Facebook Account. I'm not certain how many people are interested in actually "friending" APD, but I like the idea of the local police at least attempting to get with the rest of us. So, if you're looking for more indepth information on crime - as if we don't see enough of it on TV, looking for APD updates and news, well then check out their FB Page and maybe even consider becoming an APD FBF.

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/austin-police-open-a-facebook-account

Gun Laws vs. Gun Crimes

According to the most recent FBI stats, gun control laws have risen to their highest levels ever in the past two years. The FBI as seen an abundant increase in gun application background checks between 2009 - 2010 for the entire country. This means that not only have gun shops become more vigilant in following the laws but also that more individuals are seeking to purchase weapons across the nation.

The highest rates of gun crimes is known to occur in their primary states, Texas being one of them. Of course, in Texas we have always treasured our outlaw roots and have been one of several states that find it difficult to press forward with such stringent requirements of gun purchases, because if we are being realistic, this is Texas! We are known for gun toting, cattle rustling and an amazingly rapid death penalty system. Some may contribute the lax gun laws and our crime stats to one another, however, in the DC Gun Crime article, New York and California are also listed with Texas as having the highest gun crimes in the nation. Still New York and California also have the strongest gun control laws in the country and have been working to tighten the noose even more in this area.
So my concern is, if stricter laws are meant to control gun related crimes then why are New York and California's gun crimes at the same rate, if not a bit higher, than those in Texas?

http://dailycaller.com/2011/09/28/gun-crime-continues-to-decrease-despite-increase-in-gun-ownership/

When is murder for murder acceptable?

After reading Ross Byrd's poignant message about his father and how he felt that taking one man's life would not change the fact that his father is never coming back, I realized just how blood thirsty our criminal justice system and government can be. James Byrd, Jr. was brutally tortured and killed by white supremacists Lawrence Russell Brewer, along with two others, in June of 1998.

Brewer's actions, while reprehensible, should have garnered him the pleasure of spending all his days and nights on a life sentence in solitary confinement with only his thoughts and conscious to keep him company. However, our state has an accelerated death sentence that requires the swift "murder" of anyone deemed worthy of being removed from breathing the same air as the rest of us fine Texans. Yet, Mr. Byrd's opinions, as a victim, were not a factor in the sentencing of Brewer and thus the state has enforced this with lethal injection.

As Mr. Byrd has stated, in regards to his father's memory, "you can't fight murder with murder". So is the young Byrd correct in believing that lethal injection murder sentences are not a deterrent or even an appropriate act of revenge for criminals in the state of Texas?

H.B. 867 Council on Sex Offender Treatment Texas Sex Offender Laws - Deregistration

Sex Offender De-Registration, see this link for updates on de-registration criteria and prospective laws.

Red Light Runners Beware

The concern I have with this law enforcement tactic is "it's when you cross the bold white line after the light turns red that you're in trouble". How many of us have been guilty of catching the yellow right as it's turning red? I mean literally still driving under the lights themselves when they turn red... if the light has turned red and I am just barely gracing under it, is that an automatic ticket? And what happened to the red light cameras, are they not working out as well as previously expected?

HRH Attorney Wins Not-Guilty Verdict

Chris Holub has once again been victorious in the courtroom. On Friday, August 4, 2011 Mr. Holub received a jury trial verdict that rescued a responsible, decent young man with a bright future from being tarnished by the negativity of an "assault" charge.

After only 15 minutes of deliberation the jury came back with a "not guilty" verdict! Successful once again Chris Holub has proven that the legal system can work especially when you have an amazing attorney who believes in his client and is willing to fight endlessly.

A Decade Wrongfully Accused

This is a must read from the Austin Chronicle.

Memorial Day Public Information

APD announces increased DWI/BWI enforcement on Memorial Day
The Austin Police Department’s DWI Enforcement and Lake Patrol Units will conduct a driving while intoxicated/boating while intoxicated initiative on Memorial Day, Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 a.m.
Holiday weekends such as Memorial Day tend to have an increased number of intoxicated persons operating motor vehicles on roadways and waterways.
During this initiative a number of DWI enforcement officers will target the major roadways around Lake Austin stopping intoxicated drivers.
Additionally, a number of DWI enforcement officers will ride along with Lake Patrol officers to perform BWI investigations when appropriate.
The DWI initiative is an effort to enforce DWI/BWI laws and keep the public safe.
A high number of DWI arrests are made in Austin each year. Approximately half of the traffic fatalities in 2009 were alcohol related.
The goal of the initiative is to celebrate Memorial Day with no fatal, alcohol related accidents.
APD is focused on saving lives on the streets, highways and waterways of Austin and making them safe for everyone through education and enforcement.

Guns on UT Campus? Seems like it could be a reality... http://ping.fm/Lt7qw

To Protect and Sever Our Rights

Police have been known to use their authority somewhat recklessly from time to time. We've seen it in the news, read about it online and may have even felt the sting of it ourselves. What are we to do when officers have the discretion of deciding what victim is believable and which they want to file charges based on. If an individual walks into a police station, says she wants to file charges on her husband for "fondling" her in her sleep, is this a justifiable waste of time, money and resources for an officer to bother with. Most of us would say no, but common sense and logical thinking can not always compete with abuse of power. So, again, what are we to do when those that are assigned to "protect and serve" our community decide to play judge, jury and the all powerful "oz" of the judicial system?

Sex Offender De-Registration At Last

During the 79th Regular session of the Texas Legislature, House Bill 867 was passed and signed into Law. (This law has effectively been on “hold” since 2007 because of a delay in formulating standards by the Texas Sex Offender Treatment Council. The Council has finally completed this work and we can now move forward). This new law has dramatically impacted the continuing duty to register for certain individuals. There is now an opportunity for individuals meeting specific conditions to have their duty to register terminated. There is now a process and authority to remove the horrible burden and stigma of public registration because of a mistake from your past.

Texas State Legislature voted to revamp the Sex Offender Registration Law following their conclusion of an in depth study into all aspects of the Sex Offender Registry and it's effectiveness. What the study found was that the "old" registration policies were lacking and that in order to prove an effective tool in sex offender crimes changes needed to be made.

If you are interested in learning more, please call our office at 512.472.6565 or email us at lawoffice@hrh-law.com . Finally, an end to your duty to register may be in sight. I would be honored to assist with a free evaluation of your personal situation to determine eligibility.