Across the country, only about 20% of individuals who qualify for legal aid services are receiving the services they need. Houston Volunteer Lawyers is trying to bridge that gap here in Harris County, and the Harris County Law Library is happy to host one of HVL's many legal clinics next Friday. The May 20 clinic is intended for self-represented litigants with limited means who are filing for divorce in Harris County. Anyone who wants to attend can register on the HVL website by completing the questionnaire at http://makejusticehappen.org/node/267/self-help-divorce-clinic.
Latest and Greatest - Texas DWI Manual
Picture this: You are comfortably seated in your office with your cup of coffee sorting through your email when the telephone rings. On the other end of the line is a hysterical woman. She has been arrested for DWI. What do you do?
For starters, you can visit the Harris County Law Library. It is, after all, Criminal Defense Law Resource Month, and we recently acquired the most recent edition of the Texas DWI Manual published by James Publishing, Inc. This book, complete with forms, will direct you through the initial client interview and the subsequent case investigation and discovery process as well as the administrative driver’s license revocation hearing. In addition, you will learn the elements of a DWI, the various intoxication offenses and their punishment, and the charging instruments used in DWI cases.
Confused by the different field sobriety tests and their admissibility and use at trial? Don’t fret. The authors examine the fundamentals of the DWI breath test and explain how to attack the test and the results on both direct and cross-examination. In addition, they analyze the methods and strategies involved when using blood alcohol tests as evidence.
Of course, success is not always guaranteed. That is why the authors also discuss punishment options and education and treatment programs as well as error preservation, appeals, and expunctions.
So, before you go ahead and accept that DWI case, be sure to have a look at Texas DWI Manual. It is filled with lots of useful information you will need to competently defend your client. You can find it in our Texas Criminal section or you can ask one of our helpful librarians..
Keeping Current with Podcasts on the Legal Talk Network
As one of the most popular and fastest growing communication platforms on the web, podcasts are an excellent resource for staying up to date with the latest trends in legal technology, especially for busy legal professionals on the go. And few media outlets produce a better selection of programming than the Legal Talk Network.
LTN, an online content provider for legal professionals, is widely recognized as the go-to source for a number of popular and informative broadcasts. Lawyer 2 Lawyer, co-hosted by Bob Ambrogi, a leading voice in all things legal tech, was recognized by the ABA Journal as one of the 5 Most Essential Podcasts for Law Firm Professionals.
The recently-launched Legal Rebels, inspired by the ABA Journal’s annual feature of the same name, already has quite a following. Another popular offering is The Digital Edge, which “provides listeners with tips and tools for career success, as well as cutting-edge technology news.” The hosts, Sharon D. Nelson and Jim Calloway, recently sat down with ABA President-Elect Linda Klein to discuss how technology has and will shape their professional careers. They also recommend good resources for keeping up with changes in legal tech, including the Solo and Small Firm Legal Technology Guide, an annual ABA publication produced by the Law Practice Division and available for purchase on the ABA website. Members receive a discount.
To those who are not yet members, a special offer has been extended, inviting you to join free of charge for one year when you sign up by August 31, 2016. Just visit www.ambar.org/friendsofklein to receive all the generous benefits enjoyed by members of this professional network, including affiliation with one special interest group, such as the Law Practice Division.
Miranda Monday: Online Resources
Much has been written on the Internet about the case at the heart of this year's Law Day theme - Miranda v. Arizona - but what can you believe? Well, that's up to you, but here are some reliable places to look to get you started:
Law Day 2016: Miranda More Than Words: Law Day information page from the American Bar Association containing a variety of Miranda-related educational resources and Law Day programming.
Facts and Case Summary - Miranda v. Arizona: A concise explanation of the case with links to related materials from the U.S. Courts.
The Papers of Justice Tom C. Clark: 5th Amendment - Miranda v. Arizona, 1966: Brief case explanation with links to reproductions of U.S. Supreme Court documents from the case.
Miranda v. Arizona: Case page from Chicago-Kent College of Law Oyez project containing case information, summaries, and recordings of oral arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.