Defending People

the tao of criminal defense trial lawyering

Your Witness . . . No, Not Literally

Mark Bennett | November 10, 2009

After the shot across his bows, the Harris County DA fires a broadside at Judge Reagan Cartwright Helm, asking him to recuse himself from all cases involving accusations of domestic violence (Brian Rogers, Chronicle).
If Judge Helm recuses himself in response to these motions, or if Administrative Judge Olen Underwood recuses him, it might be [...]

The Victimocracy Strikes Back

Mark Bennett | October 30, 2009

The Harris County District Attorney’s office has asked criminal Court-at-Law Judge Reagan Helm to remove himself from two family violence cases because of “deep-seated bias and prejudice.”
In motions filed Thursday, prosecutors said Helm has a history of making inappropriate comments to assistant district attorneys, victims and defendants.
“These comments also signal to the victims and the [...]