The Gates Case, The CPS Advisory, and Their Impact

Here's the Gates opinion:

http://www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub/06/06-20763-CV0.wpd.pdf

Here's the CPS Advisory:

http://iperceive.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/texas-cps-gates-announcement_final.pdf

Here's some of the web discussion about the two:

http://iperceive.net/gates-case-fallout-texas-cps-issues-urgent-legal-advisory-to-personnel/

Greeting Cards for Loved Ones in Bexar County Jail

There's a greeting card company that provides some very nice greeting cards to give, or send, loved ones who are in jail or prison ....

check out Three Squares Greeting Card Company.

Their entire line of greeting cards is made for those who are serving time behind bars. Categories include: Happy Birthday, Thanks for Coming to Court, Thinking About You, Money On Your Books, and many others. You have to order the cards online, they're not in San Antonio stores yet.

To send a card or letter to someone serving time at the Bexar County Jail, you'll need to address the envelope as follows:

Inmate Name and SID Number
Living Unit - if you know it
Bexar County Adult Detention Center
200 N. Comal
San Antonio, Texas 78217.

(The image above is an example of one of these cards, its inside message reads: I am heartbroken and feel helpless. But, I have so much faith in you. Please don’t give up. You can make it through this. I love you. )

THE CPS (CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES) HANDBOOK

The handbook for the State of Texas' Department of Family and Protective Services' Child Protective Services Division is online, if you ever want to read through it:

http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Handbooks/CPS_Handbook/CPS_Handbook.htm

DOGGYSPACE.COM

Finally, a MySpace for dogs. Check it out:

http://www.doggyspace.com/

From Doggyspace:

"Doggyspace is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who love dogs. People use Doggyspace to keep up with friends, upload funny dog videos, and to give their dogs their own cyber place."

BEXAR COUNTY JAIL: INFORMATION

1. If you want to learn what happened over at the Bexar County Jail on any particular day during the past week, just surf through the Jail Activity Reports that are published online. The Jail Activity Reports give information on what inmates were transferred to TDC (the Texas Department of Corrections), what charges were brought against other inmates, what charges were dismissed, who are their attorneys of record, etc.
2. If you want to call Bexar County Jail for information, there's a long list of phone numbers listed at the Bexar County Detention Center site for you, such as:

• Bonds - to find out how much the bond is: 335-6200
• Bexar County Jail Visiting Hours - they've just changed: 335-6400
• Inmate Medical Problems: 335-6260
• Clothing Exchanges for Court: 335-6152
• Bexar County Inmate Information: 335-6201

Search Warrants: Casey Anthony Example

The published Casey Anthony search warrant is a great example of what goes into a search warrant -- the police just can't enter a home to search without justification.

Here, there is a detailed affidavit explaining why the authorities want to enter the home and what specific items they are interested in locating. There is also the signature of a judge, approving the search as being legally appropriate, based upon what the affidavit has provided.

Read the Anthony search warrant here:

http://www.wftv.com/download/2008/0807/17124703.pdf

If You Get Out on Bail, You Can Easily Go Back to Jail

What happens if you violate your bail bond? You go back to jail. Period.

Today, the Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, went to jail because he violated the terms of his bond when he took a trip without notifying the proper authorities.

Yep, the Mayor. Yep, that Detroit.

If your attorney successfully argues for your freedom while you are awaiting trial, it does not mean that you are free to do anything you want to do.

There are conditions in each case, and if you violate those conditions, then bail goes away and you sit in jail until your trial. Plus, the money or houses or other assets that were put up for your bail are put at risk. Bad thing to do to your loved ones.

What's the Mayor of Detroit in trouble for? He's awaiting trial on charges of perjury, obstruction of justice, and misconduct based upon allegations that he lied during a civil trial last year.

BEXAR COUNTY JAIL: NEW VISITING HOURS

They've changed the rules for when you can visit inmates at the Bexar County Jail:

1. Visiting hours are now from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. When you get to visits depends upon the last name of the inmate, and whether or not you are bringing children.

• Children (accompanied by an adult) can visit on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Adults only on Mondays and Tuesdays.
• Adults without children can visit on Saturday, Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday.
• If the inmate's last name begins with A - L, then he gets visits on Saturdays and Mondays.
• If the inmate's last name begins with M - Z, then he gets visits on Sundays and Tuesdays.

2. All inmates will be allowed two, 20-minute visits per week.

3. You will get a ticket with a number on it, to reserve your place in line. They will start issuing those tickets at 2:30 pm on visitingdays, and stop at 7:00 p.m.

4. The rest of the week -- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday -- is reserved for inmate visits with lawyers, law enforcement officers, ministers, and criminal justice/social service officials. There are no set times for these visits.

5. For more information, check out the following:

• For Jail Information on Visitation, call (210) 335-6201
• To get an inmate's SID number, call (210) 335-6401
• For general information on the Jail, visit the Bexar County Detention Center site

6. To write an inmate, address your letters to:

Inmate Name and SID Number

Living Unit - if you know it

Bexar County Adult Detention Center

200 N. Comal

San Antonio, Texas 78217