Williamson County Church and State (Austin, Howe: attorneys, houses, construction)

[Rynldsbr]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Interesting, because there was a bit of an opposite of that problem that I was aware of....

Apparently, it was (is?) not uncommon for a woman to call 911 to report her husband because of abuse (or potential violence...i.e. he came home drunk and was busting the place up), but then she would re-think it and decided that she did not want to file charges when the sheriff showed up. The sheriff would then ask the man outside to 'talk to him'. When he did so, they would arrest him on public intoxication and take him to jail for a minimum of 24 hours - a 'cool-down/sober up' period that was 'allowed' by using the maximum book-in time limits.

I *think* this was determined to be illegal since then (entrapment or similar), but they had a very specific reason for doing it - it seems there is a very high percentage of homicides that occur within a few hours after there is a 'canceled' 911 call related to domestic violence.

Anyway, this pissed the hell out of a bunch of people - both the (potentially) battered and the arrested, but I can't say that I totally disagree with it, at least on paper.

My jailor roommate also told me they ran checks on all visitors to the jail and arrested anyone with an outstanding warrant. There are an incredible number of people that would walk right into a jail to visit a boyfriend/girlfriend, with warrants for bounced checks, traffic violations, etc issued, and get totally outraged when they were taken into custody.

This is not limited to WilCo but occurs across the nation. Law enforcement is caught in a tough spot to protect those who call in a domestic issue but then don't want to press charges.

[pop251808]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Interesting, because there was a bit of an opposite of that problem that I was aware of....

Apparently, it was (is?) not uncommon for a woman to call 911 to report her husband because of abuse (or potential violence...i.e. he came home drunk and was busting the place up), but then she would re-think it and decided that she did not want to file charges when the sheriff showed up. The sheriff would then ask the man outside to 'talk to him'. When he did so, they would arrest him on public intoxication and take him to jail for a minimum of 24 hours - a 'cool-down/sober up' period that was 'allowed' by using the maximum book-in time limits.

I *think* this was determined to be illegal since then (entrapment or similar), but they had a very specific reason for doing it - it seems there is a very high percentage of homicides that occur within a few hours after there is a 'canceled' 911 call related to domestic violence.

Anyway, this pissed the hell out of a bunch of people - both the (potentially) battered and the arrested, but I can't say that I totally disagree with it, at least on paper.

My jailor roommate also told me they ran checks on all visitors to the jail and arrested anyone with an outstanding warrant. There are an incredible number of people that would walk right into a jail to visit a boyfriend/girlfriend, with warrants for bounced checks, traffic violations, etc issued, and get totally outraged when they were taken into custody.

I'm not a lawyer and I don't know much about law enforcement technique, but what you describe sounds valid, even though it would enrage the arrested person.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by pop251808

I'm not a lawyer and I don't know much about law enforcement technique, but what you describe sounds valid, even though it would enrage the arrested person.

Can't find the specific case that I was thinking of, but this is very similar:
Iowa Supreme Court: You Have The Right To Be Drunk On Your Own Front Steps

I don't recall if the length the person was held without booking was part of the problem, either - the GF would show up to bail him out as soon as he got to jail, but the sheriff would not book/set bail for 24 hours.

[verybadgnome]

from the article:

"In a deposition video obtained by KVUE through Krause Yang, Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman admits to asking the questions.
"I asked a question on their view on gay marriage to all the applicants for Precinct 3 Constable and their view on abortion," Birkman said."

Hard to believe someone that high up, an elected official, would ask these questions in 2015 in any part of the U.S. Then to look at her bio where she leads off saying she is a sixth generation Texan. Ironically that may be part of the problem, too many generations of "our way or the highway."

[mesmer]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

And how did it compare to the Hays County Jail? Or Bastrop? I can't figure that any county jail is a good place to be. I had a roommate who was a jailer. He had a degree in criminal justice, but the typical guard there was probably a GED.

Anyway, yes, there are issues in WilCo county government, but I think one of the differences is that WilCo is growing so rapidly and the population so different from what it used to be, that the problems can get identified and addressed over time. Some counties that are less dynamic have the same or much worse problems, but there is no recourse and nothing ever gets far enough to make the news.

We know a lawyer who refused to live in Williamson County. I figured they would know better than anybody. I don't believe the reputation is overblown.

Edited to add that, come to think of it, another lawyer we know had fairly negative things to say about Williamson county as well. Good ol' boys network, etc.

[ScoPro]

lol @ Travco criticizing Wilco.

Should I talk it up about the socialist/anarchist/communist/gay/black/Hispanic/female/transgender requirements to get a job with that county or Austin?

Originally Posted by mesmer

We know a lawyer who refused to live in Williamson County. I figured they would know better than anybody. I don't believe the reputation is overblown.

Edited to add that, come to think of it, another lawyer we know had fairly negative things to say about Williamson county as well. Good ol' boys network, etc.

Good - who needs more lawyers?


(BIG winkie)

[pop251808]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

...Should I talk it up about the socialist/anarchist/communist/gay/black/Hispanic/female/transgender requirements to get a job with that county or Austin?...

Looks like you just did. Care to expand on your argument? I wasn't aware one had to be a member of any of these groups to get a job. Up until lately, membership in any of them was seen as disadvantageous to getting hired. Is this news to you? Do you miss those "good old days?"

[TexasHorseLady]

Originally Posted by verybadgnome

from the article:

"In a deposition video obtained by KVUE through Krause Yang, Williamson County Commissioner Lisa Birkman admits to asking the questions.
"I asked a question on their view on gay marriage to all the applicants for Precinct 3 Constable and their view on abortion," Birkman said."

Hard to believe someone that high up, an elected official, would ask these questions in 2015 in any part of the U.S. Then to look at her bio where she leads off saying she is a sixth generation Texan. Ironically that may be part of the problem, too many generations of "our way or the highway."

Seventh generation Texan here and I think that behavior is unconscionable. I'd say your opinion that that is part of the problem might have more to do with your particular set of prejudices (we all have them) than with the situation in question.

[mesmer]

Originally Posted by ScoPro

lol @ Travco criticizing Wilco.

Should I talk it up about the socialist/anarchist/communist/gay/black/Hispanic/female/transgender requirements to get a job with that county or Austin?



Good - who needs more lawyers?


(BIG winkie)

One of the lawyers I mentioned worked primarily outside of travis county for awhile. The other worked all over central texas. Neither are particularly political. I trust their judgment on this one.

[verybadgnome]

Originally Posted by TexasHorseLady

Seventh generation Texan here and I think that behavior is unconscionable. I'd say your opinion that that is part of the problem might have more to do with your particular set of prejudices (we all have them) than with the situation in question.

Well good. No, it is more of a perception that some heavily ingrained Texans with political power can ignore higher authorities like the U.S. Supreme Court. That they believe having sincere religious convictions means they can apply them to government functions in their little fiefdoms. I am 95% sure if Ann Richards were alive today she would not be in Ms. Birkman's camp.