Harris County Criminal Justice System

Posted on July 26, 2008 by Matthew Skillern

Anyone charged with a criminal offense in Harris County, Texas is likely to be overwhelmed with the number of courts in the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.

The Harris County Criminal Justice Center is located at 1201 Franklin Street in downtown Houston.

There are fifteen county criminal courts at law.  The courts are found on floors 8, 9, 10, and 11.  The county criminal courts hear all class B misdemeanors and class A misdemeanors.   Class B misdemeanors are offenses that are punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000.  The range of punishment for a Class A misdemeanor is up to 1 year in the Harris County Jail.

The District Courts are located on floors 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19.  The District Courts hear all felony cases from first degree murder down to state jail felony drug cases.

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Cedric Benson Released by Bears for two arrests

Posted on June 10, 2008 by Matthew Skillern

Cedric Benson was released by the Chicago Bears yesterday.  A little over a month ago, Benson was arrested for Boating While Intoxicated.  For all practical and legal purposes in Texas, Boating While Intoxicated is treated as the same as Driving While Intoxicated.  Last Saturday, Benson was arrested for a separate Driving While Intoxicated charge.  Benson is not the first person to be arrested for a DWI while a pending DWI/BWI case is pending.

So did the Bears act too quickly?  Should the Chicago Bears have let the justice system run its course, prior to making any harsh and long lasting decisions.   Please keep in mind, drinking and driving is not against the law as long as you are not intoxicated.   As a public figure and role model to children, maybe a player should not put himself in this type of situation to even allow the possibility of being arrested.  For the cost of a good DWI lawyer, Benson could have taken a cab from Austin to Chicago.

What about employers of common people?  When someone is charged with a criminal act, should employers wait for the justice system to run its course before firing the employee?  What is the point of innocent until proven guilty if you suffer consequences before the evidence is even available.  The old saying is you might beat the wrap but you won't beat the ride.  Meaning you might win your case, but either way it is going to hurt.

Truth is employers can do whatever they want regarding this type of situation.  There is no legal recourse for being "let go" by an employer, even if for an unjust or unfair reason.

Last I heard, the Houston Texans needed a running back!

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