7 - Voice For The Defense Online

Code of Crim~nal Procedure, citizens Continuing Legal Education
sentenced to death, until such time as it The TmLA Board recently adopted a
appears that rhe pru~rdure is interpreted and
applied by the Texas Court of Crim~n~l
resolution to exclude prosecutors and judges
Appeals to provide meaningful review in from many Association CLE seminars. This
death penalty cases.
did not sit too well w~th some people and a
threat has been made to challenge the
Almost one year later things haven't Association's CLE accreditauon with the
changed. What should TCDLA do now? State Bar of Texas. So the question is, what
Any lawyer who has pouted their heart and do we do about our policy? Is it anunrealissoul
into a death penalty writ application tic (are there any secrets at seminars?) and
and then been casngated by some appellate somewhat rude policy that should be
court for wasting its time with frivolous w~thdrawn; or is proprietary strategic
claims must be tempted by the Pontms Pilate infomation imparted at out seminars that
route of washing then hands of the whole should remain confident~al? And, if the
mess. On the other hand, if we just walk prosecutors' semmars are not open to
away, it's only going to get worse (is that crimmal defense lawyers (not that my of us
possible?). Expect to hear more about this would want to attend) shouldn't we have
important issue as TCDLA struggles with the right to control who can attend our
whac to do about death penalty l~tigation seminars? Finally, there's always the
and what the Board called the " mmg- question, does anybody really care? Stay
less krce" of post-conviction review. tuned.
This is an interesting and important
time for TCDLA. There are many other
important issues that are developmg and the
Voice w~ll keep you informed. My hope for
the Voice is that ~t will make each of us
feel like a part of the Associatmn and
encourage part~cipation from all our
members. h
John Carroll, a Snn
Antonio criminal defense
lawyer, will be the Voice
Editor-in-Chief, stmting
with the June 1999 irsue.
Plus, a Search Easy Disk wlth each manuai
'I
is isthe most comprehensive manual on capital murder practice in Texas, writen from
defense practitioneh perspective. Whelher this is your first court-appointment to a
pital murder case, or you're more experienced, the 1999 manual offen valuable
iormatlon and insights. Wrbn by Steven Losch of Longview.
Tha 498-page book comes in a thres-ring binder so Ulat pages can be easilg
~olocopied, and contains a Search Easy disk so that the entire manual may be
stantanaously searched by word or topic.
This is a great value, particularly for TCDLA members:
$86 includes the manual and Search Easydiskfor
current members of TCDlA
$150 includes the manuai and Search Easy diskfor
non-members
Tews sales tax, shipping and handling are extra
- -
ORDER NOW
ame
City, State, Zip-
Baylor is a Baptist University affiliated with the
Baptist General Convention of Texas. As an
Affirmative ActiorVEqual Employment Opportunity
employer, Baylor encourages minoritks, women,
veterans, and persons with disabilities to apply.
Idress Phone & E - m a i l
- Yesl i'm a TCDM member
- No. I'm not a member (but I suce would like to b+send me a brochure)
S8BfwTCDLAmemters S150for mnmunben
Sales tax (add 825%)
Plus, $7.50 per notebook (all books are shipped Rrst class unless othelw~se
specified: overnight charges &a)
TOTAL:
Mail or fax this form to: CDW, 600 W. 136 St,Aubtin. TX 78701.
Ph: 512-478-2514 fax: 512-4688107.
MAY1999 VOICE 9