A brilliant-busy week at work has stored Grits off the weblog, however that does not imply there hasn't been rather a lot happening. Tra...
A brilliant-busy week at work has stored Grits off the weblog, however that does not imply there hasn't been rather a lot happening.
Tragic homicide of deputy constable no argument for enhancement invoice
The tragic ambush murder of a deputy constable in Houston was touted by some this week as an argument for legislation boosting penalties for assaulting law enforcement officials. However killing a cop is already capital homicide. How far more are you able to "improve" the penalty than a demise sentence? No matter arguments could exist for or in opposition to the invoice, this episode is unrelated. In spite of everything, the potential for a demise sentence did not deter this suspect, why would anybody assume a lesser punishment would have executed so?
Concentrate on suicide to stop police officer deaths
In the meantime, a Marshall Mission e-mail famous this week that, "29 law enforcement officials dedicated suicide within the first quarter of 2017. LAW OFFICER Associated: That’s virtually thrice the variety of cops (11) who've been killed by gunfire this 12 months. OFFICER DOWN MEMORIAL PAGE." This highlights a difficulty Grits has mentioned for years: Whereas police officer murders obtain much more sensationalist protection, suicides and traffic accidents are the extra frequent causes of officer deaths, and little is done to stop them.
Opposition to bail reform overstates case
Sen. Whitmire's and Rep Andrew Murr's invoice requiring danger assessments earlier than bail is ready does NOT require judges to observe the evaluation's suggestions. It is fully voluntary for the judges (which some say privately might be its Achilles heel - that there ought to be a presumption for low-risk defendants to obtain private bonds). However to hear the bail bond industry tell it, you'd assume the invoice requires counties to collect mobs and hound them out of city with torches and pitch forks. What a pile of horse hockey. Because the Houston Chronicle opined this week, opposition to bail reform is becoming more or less indefensible. Few of the criticisms are rooted in actuality, and virtually fully signify a (overstated) criticism from bail bondsmen and the politicians they bankroll about potential misplaced income.
Hate crime by jail guards?
Felony hate crimes costs have been filed against two Walker County jail guards for abusing an inmate in a racially tinged incident.
Immigration roundups and empty detention amenities: A match made in Hell
Texas county jails are hoping that the Trumpian immigration roundups will lead to new detention contracts for empty, overbuilt jails constructed on spec on the peak of the incarceration growth. And personal prisons are pushing at the Lege, within the face of serious opposition, to develop into licensed baby care suppliers to allow them to home immigrant kids detainees. That is why personal jail shares soared after the election, however Grits would not be so fast to speculate. The president's price range slicing tendencies most likely will imply most of those amenities nonetheless cannot discover contract prisoners to fill them.
Parallels between Obamacare and the Driver Accountability Program
The Driver Accountability Program is Texas' model of Obamacare. This system is broadly despised, the management needs to "repeal and exchange" it, however fears doing so as a result of individuals will lose entry to well being care. Debates over the DRP this 12 months are all about easy methods to fund hospital trauma facilities if this system goes away. The Texas Home discovered a means within the price range to cowl a couple of third of the cash for trauma facilities, which may make means for simpler repeal or scaling again of the Driver Accountability surcharge. Rep. Mando Martinez pulled down an modification to the price range that will have redirected cash from border safety after being informed that greater than a $100 million additional had already been designated for trauma facilities within the price range, However the car for repeal will possible transfer first within the Senate and they can't figure out how to proceed. People within the Home must guarantee that extra cash stays tied to surcharge repeal and does not simply flip into an additional reward if repeal does not move. The hospitals have been enjoying hardball on this and surcharge opponents should achieve this as properly if this system goes to go away.
Why it is not obligatory for police to shoot somebody armed with a knife
Glorious story on the differences between how US and European law enforcement handles this situation.
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