What the heck??
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Posted on 12/31/2002 2:57:48 PM PST by EBUCK
Taxpayers could pay $165,000 to clear records in K-Mart raid
Hundreds of people were arrested in August for trespassing on private property. By The Associated Press (12/31/02- Houston) — City council members are considering hiring a law firm to help clear the records of hundreds of people arrested at Kmart and other businesses over the summer, a move that could stick taxpayers with a bill of as much as $165,000. The council was scheduled Tuesday to consider whether to hire Winstead, Sechrest & Minick to help expunge the arrests from the records of nearly 300 people arrested during an ill-fated August sting on drag racing.
Though charges have been dropped, the arrests remain on their police records.
Amateur Houston songwriters riding wave of Yao Ming song Storms caused some damage in Montgomery County Taxpayers could pay $165,000 to clear records in K-Mart raid Houston police seek man who disarmed an officer during struggle Former HISD teacher charged with sexual assault Was driver to blame for Saturday's massive tollway pileup? Police warn against ringing in New Year with gunfire Eight Houston-area residents survive Belize plane crash More recent stories The city is considering using private attorneys because the city's legal department is already representing Houston in several lawsuits stemming from the arrests.
"We are trying to rectify a wrong," said Robert Cambrice, a senior assistant city attorney. "We are trying to help out people who are trying to get into school or apply for jobs and are denied that opportunity because they have an arrest record."
Cambrice said that if the contract is approved those arrested will be notified of the service by mail. Records would be expunged at a cost to the city of $484 each.
But Randall Kallinen, an attorney representing some of those arrested, said he would advise his clients not to accept the offer because they need proof of their arrests to pursue wrongful arrest lawsuits against the city.
"This is nothing but damage control which they (city officials) are going to try and use in later court cases," Kallinen said. "(Arrest records) are evidence of their own wrongdoing. They are trying to reduce future claims."
The city faces several lawsuits filed on behalf of some 60 people arrested in the raids. The lawsuits accuse the city and two police officers of false arrest, false imprisonment and civil-rights violations. Two lawsuits seek unspecified damages while others seek millions of dollars in damages.
Capt. Mark Aguirre directed the sweeps of parking lots that led to the arrests outside a Kmart, a Sonic Drive-In, and a James Coney Island on the weekend of Aug. 17.
Aguirre planned the raid to crack down on drag racers. But when police found no evidence of drag racing, they swept through the parking lots and arrested those gathered there anyway.
Many of those arrested were customers of the businesses, but were charged with trespassing and curfew violations.
The arrests fueled a public uproar, with council members and Police Chief C.O. Bradford criticizing the arrests as heavy-handed.
The Police Department launched its largest-ever internal affairs investigation, and a Harris County grand jury on Dec. 6 indicted Aguirre and Sgt. Ken Wenzel on Dec. 6 on five counts each of official oppression.
(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved)
Whoa, held accountable for ones actions...amazing.
Lawyers piss me off.
I'll say it again: The WORST MAYOR in HOUSTON HISTORY.
He should be ashamed of what he did; though I doubt he has the capacity for shame.
What the heck??
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I easily could, but I'm just here to try to grab the local folks and get them to pay attention to their local FReeper Chapter. Thanks for the update on this.
I argued for a name change but none of them went over well. The "Area" also leads to our HAT moniker.
Our District Attorney, as his predecessor, has a habit of fumbling the ball on law officer prosecutions. If they go to trial the prosecutors often put on witnesses who damage their own case so the officer gets off. Happens all too often.
If this lawyer can't make the civil case while at the same time allowing his clients to become non-criminals, I wouldn't want him to represent me. He's a moron and looking out for his interests rather than his clients.
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