2008 TDCAA Annual Conference is POSTPONED!
3rd Circuit Bars Prosecution Threat for Teen 'Sexting'
Panel also found former DA had violated parents' rights by usurping their roles
Shannon P. Duffy
The Legal Intelligencer
March 18, 2010
In the first case ever to challenge the constitutionality of prosecuting teens for "sexting," a federal appeals court has upheld an injunction that barred a Pennsylvania prosecutor from bringing child pornography charges against girls who refused to attend a class he had designed to educate youths about the dangers of sexting.
Report Finds States Holding Fewer Prisoners
Published: March 16, 2010
By JOHN SCHWARTZ
The New York Times
State prison populations, which have grown for nearly four decades, have begun to dip, according to a new report, largely because of recent efforts to keep parolees out of prison and reduce prison time for nonviolent offenders.
State prisons held 1,403,091 people as of Jan. 1, nearly four-tenths of a percent fewer than a year before, the report said. Prison populations have fallen in 27 states in that period, while they have risen in 23.
Tarrant County's electronic open-file system seen as gold standard for reducing wrongful convictions
Posted Thursday, Mar. 18, 2010
By ALEX BRANCH
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
FORT WORTH -- A state panel studying ways to reduce wrongful convictions in Texas seemed to find what it was looking for during a visit to Tarrant County this year.
After reviewing the district attorney's open-file and electronic discovery system, Mary Anne Wiley, deputy general counsel for Gov. Rick Perry, offered one of several superlatives uttered by panel members.
"This sounds like a slam dunk," Wiley said.
Man Gets 8 Years, $5,000 Fine For 3rd DWI
March 17, 2010
By DAYNA WORCHEL
Tyler Morning Telegraph Staff Writer
A Smith County jury sentenced a Lindale man to eight years in prison Wednesday and assessed a $5,000 fine after they found him guilty Wednesday of his third driving while intoxicated offense today.
Labor Dept to help crime victims get special visas
Mar 17, 6:22 PM EDT
By JULIANA BARBASSA
Associated Press Writer
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Immigrants who have been victims of crimes and help authorities prosecute perpetrators can now get help from the U.S. Labor Department with their applications for a special type of visa.
Investigators of workplace violations have been authorized to certify applications for a U visa to stay in the country, U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis said.
