Legislative Proposals Address Wrongful Convictions in TX
A Texas politician finally had a good idea in the realm of criminal justice. Responding to more than fifty wrongful convictions around the state, State Sen. Royce West introduced a bill that would increase the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony when a prosecutor withholds evidence that is favorable to a defendant. The bill also lifts the statute of limitations on "official oppression" cases.
Of course, even if the law is changed, the toothier law will be meaningless unless prosecutors are willing to charge other prosecutors who withhold evidence. How often do you expect to see those prosecutions?
To be fair, other politicians in Texas have had other good ideas that would help address the problem of wrongful convictions: [more ...]
| < MT Prosecutor Jailed Pending Sentencing in Federal Cocaine Case | A Camera in Every Police Car > |