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Report: Attorney Appointment a ‘Pay For Play’ Arrangement in Texas County
by Kevin Bliss
Georgetown Law professor Neel Sukhatme and Texas Criminal Justice Coalition lawyer Jay Jenkins conducted a study of judges and their assignment of legal representation to indigent defendants in Harris County, Texas. They found it a “pay for play” arrangement, which they said promotes cronyism.
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More from this issue:
- State Violence, Legitimacy, and the Path to True Public Safety, by David M. Kennedy
- Floyd’s Family Might End Up Helping Pay Chauvin’s Retirement Benefits, by Kevin Bliss
- How the Courts Are Using Compassionate Release to Fix Unfair Sentences, by Dale Chappell
- Seventh Circuit: ‘Especially Compelling Justification’ Required for Same Maximum Sentence on Resentencing, by Dale Chappell
- The Warrior Cop Mindset, by Edward Lyon
- Seventh Circuit: Admissions to Pretrial Services Cannot Be Used to Prove Guilt, by Dale Chappell
- SCOTUS: Counsel’s Failure to Uncover and Present Evidence in Mitigation at Capital Sentencing Requires Remand for Prejudice Determination, by Douglas Ankney
- Indiana Supreme Court: Forcing Defendant to Unlock Smartphone Violates Fifth Amendment Right Against Self-Incrimination, by Douglas Ankney
- California Supreme Court: ‘Honest and Upright Life’ Possible While in Custody for Expungement Purposes, by Anthony Accurso
- Seventh Circuit Explains ‘Conduct That is Part of Common Scheme or Plan’ for Sentencing Purposes, by Douglas Ankney
- Third Circuit: District Court Must Personally Address Defendant During Sentencing, by Douglas Ankney
- Police Body Cams Are not a Cure-All, by Edward Lyon
- Hawai’i Supreme Court Announces Police Officers May Not Testify That Driver Appeared Intoxicated, Overruling Toyomura, by Douglas Ankney
- FBI Expands Ability to Surveil Social Media and Cellphone Location Data, by Douglas Ankney
- Activists Seek Accountability by Pushing NYC to Make Footage From Traffic Cams Available for Archiving, by Douglas Ankney
- SCOTUS Announces Large Portion of Oklahoma Remains Tribal Land in Which State Lacks Jurisdiction to Try Native Americans, by Douglas Ankney
- California Court of Appeal Holds Canizales Decision Limiting Kill Zone Theory Applies Retroactively, by Matthew Clarke
- Nationwide Police Misconduct Database Available to Public, by Kevin Bliss
- Wrongfully Convicted Virginians Now Have Chance to Prove Innocence Due to Amendments to Writ of Actual Innocence, by Douglas Ankney
- Sixth Circuit: Prosecutor’s Improper Comments and Counsel’s Failure to Object Require New Trial, by Dale Chappell
- Second Circuit: Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act Applies on Per-Offender, not Per-Count Basis, by David Reutter
- Fourth Circuit: Sentencing Procedurally Unreasonable Where Special Condition Not Explained and Mitigation Argument Not Addressed, by Matthew Clarke
- Hawai’i Supreme Court: Showing Jury Video of Defendant Declining Officer’s Request to Reenact Crime Violates Right to Remain Silent, by Douglas Ankney
- Extending the Surveillance State During the Pandemic, by Anthony Accurso
- The Power of Filming Police, by Jayson Hawkins
- Georgia Supreme Court: Counsel’s Failure to Inform Defendant of Absolute Right to Withdraw Plea Prior to Sentencing Ineffective Assistance, by David Reutter
- Guard Your Digital Privacy to Keep Your Real Self Safe, by Anthony Accurso
- Second Circuit Announces Categorical Approach Applies to State Convictions for Sentencing Enhancement Determination Under 21 U.S.C. § 841(b)(1)(B), by Matthew Clarke
- Congress Unsure of Internet Data Collected by Government as PATRIOT Act Heads for Reauthorization, by Dale Chappell
- What to Do if You’re Pepper-Sprayed, by Dale Chappell
- After a Decade of Fighting, The Last Resort Exoneration Project Finally Frees Two Wrongfully Convicted of Murder, by Michael Fortino, Ph.D
- Tenth Circuit Vacates Conviction, Rules Waiver of Trial Counsel Not Knowingly Made, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Supreme Court: Plea Proviso in § 18-1-409(1) Doesn’t Bar Appeal on Manner in Which Sentence Imposed, by David Reutter
- Sixth Circuit Grants Habeas Relief for Defendant Shackled During Murder Trial Without On-the-Record Justification, by David Reutter
- New York Police Continue Pattern of Arrests of Low-Level Crime During COVID-19 Crisis, by Derek Gilna
- Report: Attorney Appointment a ‘Pay For Play’ Arrangement in Texas County, by Kevin Bliss
- Hawai’i Supreme Court Announces Trial Courts Have Duty to Obtain Knowing and Voluntary Waiver of Penal-Responsibility Defense, by Douglas Ankney
- Hawai’i Supreme Court: Dog Sniff Unrelated to Initial Traffic Stop Requires Suppression of Evidence, by Dale Chappell
- Colorado Supreme Court Announces Framework for Distinguishing True Threat From Protected Speech Communicated Online, by Douglas Ankney
- Tenth Circuit: Confession Involuntary Where FBI Agent Falsely Claimed to Be in Contact With Judge, and Defendant Could Shorten Sentence With Each Truthful Answer, by Douglas Ankney
- Minn. Supreme Court Announces Rule for Analyzing Out-of-State Convictions for Public Safety Registry Requirement Purposes, by Anthony Accurso
- Kentucky Supreme Court: Trial Court’s Ex Parte Discussion With Juror About Offered Bribe Was Structural Error, by Douglas Ankney
- Seventh Circuit Holds First Step Act Applies to All Crack Offenses ‘As a Whole,’ Regardless of Crack Amounts, by Dale Chappell
- Ban the Box not Applicable to COVID-19 Stimulus Aid, by Edward Lyon
- Six eyewitnesses misidentified a murderer – here’s what went wrong in the lineup, by Laura Smalarz
- The Lunacy of Qualified Immunity, by Edward Lyon
- Tear Gas: Soldiers Prohibited From Using It in Warfare but Cops Using It Against Peaceful Protesters, by Douglas Ankney
- I Cover Cops as an Investigative Reporter. Here Are Five Ways You Can Start Holding Your Department Accountable., by Andrew Ford
- News in Brief
- Problems With Predictive Policing, by Jayson Hawkins
More from Kevin Bliss:
- After Florida Appellate Court Holds Crimes of ‘Attempt’ Eligible for Incentive Gain Time, Supreme Court Refuses Review, Jan. 15, 2025
- LGBTQ+ Detainees at Rikers Island Suffer Under Mayor Adams, Sept. 15, 2023
- Government Watchdog Adds BOP to List at “High Risk” of Mismanagement, Sept. 15, 2023
- At Massive and Corrupt Philippine Prison, Contraband Includes Jacuzzis and Horses, Sept. 15, 2023
- Second Circuit Affirms $600,000 Punitive Damage Award to New York Prisoner Brutally Beaten by Guards, Sept. 15, 2023
- Maryland Sheriff Charged with Illegally Procuring Machine Guns from ATF, Sept. 15, 2023
- Voting Rights Restoration for Virginia Ex-Felons Once Again Subject to Governor’s Whim, Sept. 15, 2023
- Prison Profiteer Who Chairs Christian Seminary Board Called Not Very ‘Christlike’, Aug. 15, 2023
- Menstruation Weaponized Against Women in Prison, Aug. 15, 2023
- Idaho Revives Firing Squads, Aug. 15, 2023
More from these topics:
- GEO Group Funnels Millions to Trump PAC Following Windfall ICE Contracts, Oct. 1, 2026. GEO Group/Wackenhut, Contractor Misconduct, Government Misconduct, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Immigration Detention.
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court Announces Theft by Deception Is Not Continuing Offense While Receiving Stolen Property Continues Only Until Defendant Disposes of Stolen Property, Aug. 1, 2026. Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Lack of Evidence, Statutory Construction/Interpretation, Statutes of Limitation and Laches.
- BOP Supervisor in Colorado Indicted for Smuggling Over 400 Vapes, July 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Bureau of Prisons (BOP), Bribery/Extortion/Theft.
- Rikers Island Captain Nicknamed “Terror of the Tombs” Indicted for Extortion, Wage Theft, July 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Threats by Staff, DOC/BOP misconduct, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Fraud and Deceit.
- Former Georgia Prison Warden Indicted for Role in Smuggling Scheme, June 1, 2026. DOC/BOP misconduct, Government Misconduct, Prison/Jail Murders, RICO, Bribery/Extortion/Theft.
- Our Money Is Disappearing Inside ViaPath’s Prison Tablets, June 1, 2026. Contractor Misconduct, Computers, Trust Accounts, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Global Tel*Link Corp.
- Former Maine Prison Official Will Serve 5 Years in Prison for $2.4 Million Bribe, June 1, 2026. DOC/BOP misconduct, Bribery/Extortion/Theft.
- Prosecutors Had a Drugs-for-Votes Scheme “Locked Up.” Under Trump, They Were Told Not to Pursue Charges., June 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Voting, Prison Gangs, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Selective Prosecution/Enforcement.
- Former Maine Prison Official Stole $2.4 Million Through Fraudulent Supply Orders, April 1, 2026. Contractor Misconduct, DOC/BOP misconduct, Bribery/Extortion/Theft, Fraud and Deceit.
- U.S. Sentencing Commission Report Breaks Down Federal Contraband Sentences, March 1, 2026. Guard Misconduct, Mechanical Searches/Scanners, Statistics/Trends, U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, Bribery/Extortion/Theft.





