Defending People

the tao of criminal defense trial lawyering

Lessons in Media Relations and Blogging, from Tyler Flood [Updated, and Again]

Mark Bennett | November 7, 2009

Tyler Flood (one of the smartest lawyers Tyler Flood has ever met!) says of his recent debacle in the Houston Press:
During the course of this process I praised so many of my colleagues and even told Mike who to talk to, including Jed [Silverman], Gary [Trichter], Troy [McKinney], [Mark] Thiessen, Murph [Doug Murphy], Jim Medley [...]

Bravest of All at 451 Degrees

Mark Bennett | February 10, 2009

When I was learning to read, my favorite book was Bravest of All, by Kate Emery Pogue. This was a Little Golden Book about an old firefighter who, when all the young firefighters and shiny new equipment were out putting out a big fire, sprang into action with his old fire truck to save a [...]

The Gruff Marshmallow and the Pledgin’ Judge

Mark Bennett | January 7, 2009

Former Harris County Assistant District Attorney The Gruff Marshmallow has joined the Nearby County District Attorney’s Office and been assigned to this court.
How many of you saw the series finale of The Shield?

Three Notable Developments Across the Pond

Mark Bennett | January 5, 2009

1. Anti-Social Behavior Orders (ASBOs)
From the Home Office’s website:

Anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) are court orders which [sic] forbid specific threatening or intimidating actions.
An ASBO can ban a person from:

threatening, intimidating or disruptive actions

spending time with a particular group of friends

visiting certain areas

ASBOs are in effect for a minimum of two years, and can be longer. [...]

Rescheduled From This Thursday

Mark Bennett | December 23, 2008

In yet another attempt at morale-building, Pat Lykos is ordering every Harris County assistant district attorney to attend her swearing-in ceremony on January 1, 2009.
January 1, 2009 is a county holiday.
Does anyone remember the boxing video game from the ’80s? You’d hit your opponent, and the machine would say “body blow! body blow!” and then [...]

From the Harris County Sexually Oriented Enterprise Regulations

Mark Bennett | July 23, 2008

“Semi-nude” means “any state of dress which opaquely covers no more than a human buttock, anus, male genitalia, female genitalia or areola of a female breast.”
Can anyone tell me what that means? I think it’s English, but I’m not certain.

Next Time, Avoid Eye Contact

Mark Bennett | March 21, 2008

From the “You Mean You’re Not Supposed to Do That?” files:
Lawyer held in contempt for simulating masturbation in court.