I’ve been saying it on the internet for 10 years in my Million-Dolar Legal Advice: don’t talk to the police.
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on Tuesday, July 29th, 2008 at 8:39 pm and is filed under Fifth Amendment.
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About The Author
Mark Bennett got his letter of marque from the Supreme Court of Texas in May 1995. He is famous for having no sense of humor when it comes to totalitarianism.
This is a great tape, most people should listen to it (although it is a bit harsh). Speaking with an attorney can easily avoid all sorts of hastles. People forget that it is a police officer’s agenda to arrest, fine or otherwise punish, it is not necessarily their agenda to “find justice.”
Mark,
A topic that I would like your opinion on:
I have been doing research regarding how many states still allow for jury trials on cases where the punishment is less than a year in jail. So far, I have found only 20 or so states that still give jury trials for “misdemeanors.” I have heard through contacts in Austin that there will be a bill proposed to end jury trials for all class B and C misdemeanors. While I think this would save money in the JP and Municipal courts, I am not sure it would pass Constitutional muster on Class B cases.
I can already guess your thoughts on Class B cases, but what about Class C cases?
Class C cases are criminal cases, which require jury trials under Article 1 Section 10 of the Texas Constitution. To do away with class B (including DWI and POM) and class C jury trials would require an amendment to the Texas Constitution.
Scary thought. Bad public policy.