tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post1616636387718437358..comments2024-03-25T20:06:39.794-05:00Comments on Grits for Breakfast: Penalty hikes could thwart design overhaul of Texas criminal justice systemGritsforbreakfasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10152152869466958902noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36454223180472696562007-05-22T11:58:00.000-05:002007-05-22T11:58:00.000-05:00I live in a small rural community. I see District ...I live in a small rural community. I see District Attorneys chatting with the judges and enhancing charges to get people sent to TDC instead of State Jail or time served a lot. This costs Tax payers when most of these non-violent people could be out and earning a living. I am tired of being TAXED to DEATH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-36175919306854918942007-05-02T07:02:00.000-05:002007-05-02T07:02:00.000-05:00With respect to the perspective of each person, pr...With respect to the perspective of each person, prosecutors are elected officials - how CAN they stay out of politics? Please remember that not all of us come out of the same box. While you appear to be aware of those in metropolitan areas, at least half of us are in rural areas. In some cases, we are the only attorneys who live in our communities. We defend our counties against inmate law suits as well as prosecuting those who would prey on the people of our counties. Many of us make less than a third year teacher, but don't have time for a private practice. <BR/><BR/>We still believe in the "service" in public service, or we would be off making the bucks our education entitles us to make (and our student loans would be paid off a lot faster!)<BR/><BR/>Prosecutors, like any other group, are a mixed bag and we don't speak with one voice. However, to say that we should "stay out of politics" is somewhat impossible - unless someone is going to start appointing us (which is NOT something you want to see!) In addition, believe it or not - our association often comes out against enhancements and crazy laws. I don't know a prosecutor who doesn't want the end of the surcharges or a major reform in the DWLS laws - just as an example.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-28504236801467624752007-04-30T11:28:00.000-05:002007-04-30T11:28:00.000-05:00I for one think the prosecutors should stay out of...I for one think the prosecutors should stay out of politics. They are corrupt and most of them have had their jobs too long and have elevated themselves to a higher level. They only want to continue to keep their job and do not care about the lives of people and families they destroy. Most of them are indeed the most greedy people in the world this includes most judges also. John Bradley needs to stay at work in his own county and stay out of politics unless he choses to run for an office that makes and changes the laws. He does not care about anyone but the 98% winning I have been reading about and it appears most DAs feel the same way. The exception is the new DA in Dallas County. I am so very proud of him, he is making a difference and we all owe him a standing ovation.<BR/><BR/>I ask the Senate and House, do not try to pack some grubby bill on to the bills submitted by Rep Jerry Madden and Senator Whitmire. They have worked very hard to try to make Texas a State that is no longer hated and called the murdering state and if you do not understand the system, stay out of it. Better go to one of these men and ask them to explain the issues to you. I respect both of these men and they should be given your respect also, they care and it appears the rest of you lege's are just out to make a name for yourselfs, get a life and get out of politics. You lawyers, need to get a real job and leave good people alone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-62285425721560850192007-04-30T08:01:00.000-05:002007-04-30T08:01:00.000-05:00I'm trying to think of any new legislation since t...I'm trying to think of any new legislation since the early 70s that couldn't be prosecuted under the "old and not improved" laws on the book. I draw a blank. Makes you wonder how the last few generations ever survived without these "protections" from today's legislators.JT Barriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15571868033521182864noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-12847287777010167452007-04-29T20:58:00.000-05:002007-04-29T20:58:00.000-05:00Design is other-focused (often), and art is self-f...Design is other-focused (often), and art is self-focused (almost always). So legislation that is "designed" is almost always better for the people than the bit of "creative" legislation."Dootz"https://www.blogger.com/profile/10718357894683154094noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-3947706356126809842007-04-29T12:51:00.000-05:002007-04-29T12:51:00.000-05:00Punishment in Texas is a jumble of laws that don't...Punishment in Texas is a jumble of laws that don't do much to improve society or public safety.<BR/><BR/>The legislature needs to "send a message" that they are working to clean up that mess.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8597101.post-60461563746136180282007-04-29T12:34:00.000-05:002007-04-29T12:34:00.000-05:00"We need to change policies that improve real-worl..."We need to change policies that improve real-world outcomes, not send "messages" through legislation."<BR/><BR/>Yes, Yes, Yes! We have got to get a grip on reality and stop going for political sound bites and headlines that quickly fade into undesired results. Usually coupled to higher taxes to finance the screw ups that stay on the books for years. I am tired of paying for dumb stuff that harms society.<BR/><BR/>Anthony Mikulastik<BR/>Yellow Dog DemocratAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com