In a statement, Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee said his office will keep a close eye on Luncefords election contest. Texas should be encouraging election officials to provide voters all the information they need to participate in elections. Attorney Fee Standards effective June 1, 2019. . Design specifics of the future I-45 interchange with Interstate 10 that accommodate Metros planned. Lawyers tend to squeeze in short vacations whenever they can. Interpret laws, rulings, and regulations for individuals and businesses. The deals, however, also give TxDOT room to consider alternatives that reduce the number of homes and businesses displaced, but also do not hold them to any specific reductions. Voters have moved on. Theres no explanation for it hes just flat wrong. Adding sidewalks and bike amenities to areas where TxDOThas committed to trying to reduce the number of properties it will take. Agreements, Bill 5 Cause No. To put it another way, good luck proving intent. And that might be the safe investment for him to make. In the interim, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Garcia, who both were outspoken about the need for changes to the design, were reelected. As a bail agent for the corporate surety Allegheny Casualty Co., she also worries that the new rule will put her at odds with the insurance company which she fears could violate customer privacy. Texas has allowed voters 65 and older to vote absentee without needing an excuse since 1975. A Harris County Attorney's letter is a formal document that is typically used to notify an individual or business of impending legal action. Carla Wyatt, County Treasurer, Alexandra Mealer, County Judge The bottleneck of design differences that has divided officials about remaking Interstate 45 north of downtown Houston is easing, officials said Monday, clearing the way for construction on the $10 billion project, perhaps in less than two years. A target letter is another type of letter that can be issued from the United States Attorneys Office. Hopefully, well find out soon. Matthew Masterson, who previously served as the Trump administrations top election security official and now is Microsofts director of information integrity, said that Paxtons opinion will make it impossible for election administrators to appropriately ensure that ballots are kept secure. And now you know what I know. Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee on Thursday expressed disappointment in the decision by the 5th Circuit, which has blocked a number of court challenges to conservative policies. Us, Delete The latest UTP, updated annually by the Texas Department, outlines a record $85.1 billion in transportation spending across the state from 2023 to 2032. Judge Lawton-Evans is represented by Anthony Drumheller. People near them, concerned for their health, plead for them to go far away. An additional $10 collection fee will be added to each invoice referred to collections, as approved by Harris County Commissioners Court in September 2020. The ballots in question were cast during a one-hour period on Nov. 8. This is important to us, said Huey German-Wilson, president of the Trinity and Houston Gardens Super Neighborhood, and now we have someone to hear us loud and clear, for the small Black and brown voices in communities that have not been heard.. I will of course keep an eye on it. There are apparently 2,100 provisional Election Day ballots in question, out of 2,555 total E-Day provisionals and 2,420 that included a vote in this race. Winning it will be another matter. Governors have broad power under the Disaster Act, he said, noting that the state Supreme Court sided with Abbott when Travis County attempted to enact a New Years Eve curfew for restaurants. There is no justification for denying the public information about a controversy just because it involves litigation, Aleshire said. And facilities are often in communities of color not wealthy, white River Oaks making what has been happening clear environmental racism, state Sen. Borris Miles said. FDAMS Application . Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee Tuesday denied Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegars announcement that county officials are attempting to resolve the defunding claims Hegar made earlier this month. Nile Copeland is represented by Elizabeth Alvarez. 10-DAY DEMAND LETTER PROCEDURES The District Attorney requires that you write a letter to the person in possession of your vehicle. Federal and state laws requires ballots be securely stored for 22 months after an election, in part to preserve them for recounts or challenges to election results. Commissioners Court convened the special meeting to decide on a response to Hegars claim. Wider highways are not an appropriate or effective intervention to expand commerce opportunities, and they do not expand opportunities for those bearing the greatest burdens of the expansion, more than 15 groups wrote in a letter to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, released Tuesday. Sandlin 38,580 28,502 0 79,998 Specialist legal advice should be taken in relation to specific circumstances. Harris County District Clerk - Web - https://www.hcdistrictclerk.com or by US mail - Harris County District Clerk, PO Box 4651, Houston, Tx 77210-4651 Criminal history/Background checks information-involving arrests made by any law enforcement agency within Harris County visit their website. This practice group files lawsuits for collecting fines, taxes, judgments, workers compensation, property damage, contract, and other monies owed to Harris County. From the inbox, sent to me by former HD133 candidate Sandra Moore: Below is a list of the judges and electeds being sued by the Republicans. See the sample using the Preview function and read its description. & Estates, Corporate - The plaintiffs argue that the provisions violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments because the risk of criminal and civil liability chills speech that encourage[s] voters to lawfully vote by mail. From Statesman columnist @bgrumet: @TXAG Ken Paxton is using the powers of his office to treat a good-faith mishap as a crime, after coming under political pressure from his own base to file charges., Austin Statesman (@statesman) 9:30 AM 6 February 2022. Public servants have moved on. (S or C-Corps), Articles With fewer people needing bail bonds because fewer people were being assessed bail, bail bond companies saw their revenues decline and so they looked for new customers by lowering their fees so as to entice those who were still being required to pay bail but couldnt afford their fees. Civil Ad Litem . In Tarrant County, volunteers with a conservative group occupied a room in the elections office for weeks this summer, examining 300,000 ballots from the March 2020 primary, which were made available by the county 22 months after the election. Hegar,a Republican,said he hopes Heap and county officials can resolve the situation themselves long before Harris County begins budget deliberations for fiscal year 2024. He also predicted that county officials would once again use a convoluted approach to argue they had not reduced Heaps funding. We cant spend money to design and we cant spend money to do those things, Ryan said at the forum, which drew criticism because it was for paying guests only at an event sponsored by various engineering, construction and planning firms. Its going to be Republican versus Republican, Renteria said. I wont hold my breath for it. So Paxton, ever the coward, convened a grand jury in Montgomery County not Harris, where this alleged crime took place, but the very friendly confines of Montgomery County and presented his case. In Independence Heights, the first city incorporated by Black residents in Texas, the project proposes drainage improvements to alleviate persistent flooding in the area. 13 Cause No. Harris Countys decision to allow volunteers to transport election records including voted ballots to the countys Central Count location on Election Night is incompatible with the Texas Election Code and violates well-established chain of custody protocols spelled out under Texas law, Texas Secretary of State spokesperson Sam Taylor said in a statement on Friday. Will do! I can't seem to place how this letter pertains to me at all. Additionally, many letters from the U.S. Attorneys Office will include a blank Business Records Affidavit for the recipient to fill out and have notarized. The Texas Secretary of States office agrees with the GOPs assessment. Were here today because the TCEQ failed to address these issues when it had the chance.. For suggestions or comments regarding this site please email us at Lawyers for the GOP argue the county is ignoring state election laws and breaking the mandatory chain of custody for ballots. 1 makes it a crime for public officials or election officials to encourage voters to request a mail ballot application, even if the person would be eligible to vote by mail. Determining how a proposed downtown connection for the Hardy Toll Road will enter the area near Buffalo Bayou and cross a remade I-10. i know understandably literally nobody is in the mood to hear about primary runoff election night but i am at NRG arena & feel compelled to tell you that so many people are working very hard (here and across the state) to get votes counted tonight, Jen Rice (@jen_rice_) 10:04 PM 24 May 2022. Jack Morman did not have a report filed or Id have included him as well. I received a letter from the local district Attorney office - Avvo The two men, according to doorbell camera video footage recorded by a Sunnyside resident, wore badges identifying themselves as members of Texas Election Network, a conservative grass-roots organization formed in 2021. They also refer to the overall total of about 4,000 provisional ballots the actual overall total is 4,333, of which 1,778 were cast early and are clearly not at issue. In fact, the first time any concerns were raised occurred during a public meeting May 11 at the Election Committee Hearing by the Secretary of States Office. The investigation will focus on whether the adoption of the amendment and the permitting process is discriminatory, and whether the state agency failed to seek meaningful public comment. Violators are subject to a fine between $300 -$500, can be taken to court, as well as have a warrant issued for their arrest for breaking Chapter 28 of Houston's code of ordinances. Judges are being sued in their individual capacity. That is why each person named in a suit has to retain their own attorney. Hes going to have to weigh all that.. Thats what I, a non-lawyer who has no responsibilities in these matters, would have done. Because the proceedings are still ongoing, it is too soon to know whether the ability to extend voting hours in the future could be impacted. He believes the collective force of school districts, county judges, and mayors could push the weather vane in the opposite direction. 2023-00841; Tami Pierce v. Judge DaSean Jones. Such requests have been used by activists all over the country as a way to audit election results. Could be anything from a subpoena to an envelope of glitter. Although the ballots were processed, Harris County now intends to include them in the final vote canvass, Christopher Hilton, chief of the Attorney Generals office general litigation division said Monday. In the event that the Harris County Elections Office ever needs to contact you directly, our staff will have county ID badges to prove their identity, and/or paperwork with the logo or official seal of the office included, the release states. Be that as it may, the point about the counties just not moving to undo what they have ordered is an interesting point. RECORDING OF ANY PROBATE PROCEEDINGS IS STRICTLY PROHIBITEDAND COULD RESULT IN A FINDING OF CONTEMPT OF COURT. This case was always about reducing youth nicotine addiction in our communities. Maybe Judge Hidalgo can call on the Sheriff to pick up the wayward Commissioners and haul them into the meeting room so that the legal requirement of at least four members being present can be met? By the time this runs in the morning well know what the official canvass says, and from there well see if an election challenge will follow. 2023-01076; Aaron Adams v. Judge LaShawn Williams. If you decide to make a contribution a check can be sent to: CLUBS IN ACTION Sartaj Bal is represented by Elizabeth Alvarez. During the election CIA knocked on 300,000 doors. Public Information Requests - Houston For months, election administrators in Texas and across the country have been fielding records requests from activists intent on re-examining every ballot cast in every election since November 2020 or, in some cases, even earlier. Nothing else of great interest in this group Id expect both Ed Gonzalez and Christian Menefee to start posting bigger numbers soon. While most criminal cases are handled in state courts rather than in federal courts, the types of criminal cases prosecuted by the United States Attorneys Office include white collar fraud, Medicare fraud, drug trafficking, tax evasion, and immigration crimes. solicit[] the submission of an application to vote by mail from a person who did not request an application. The civil-liability provision creates a civil penalty for an election official who is employed by or an office of the state and who violates a provision of the election code. Thats a somewhat complicated headline for this. The Harris County GOP argues the plan violates state law, so they are advising their partys election judges to drive the ballots to NRG themselves. Thank You!!!! The Texas Public Information Act gives the public the right to request access to government information. In the meantime, we have a small victory, for now, against SB1. Since the case has progressed from federal district court to the Fifth Circuit and on to the state Supreme Court, the parties positions have changed and the justices find themselves in the unusual position of being asked to answer three questions where there is very little if any disagreement between the parties. See here for the background. Ed Gonzalez, Sheriff Morgan testified that she was concerned the law applied even to volunteers like her, given that her role is formally certified by county election offices. One of his top staffers ran against Judge Hidalgo in the 2022 Dem primary, and I imagine there will be some kind of response to that. What hes doing is not helping in furtherance of coping with the disaster, Menefee said. Let me start off by saying that my heart breaks for everyone in Uvalde. See here for the background. After spending months at loggerheads, but working on some consensus, the Texas Department of Transportation committed to a handful of concessions, such as increasing the money it will pay the Houston Housing Authority for relocation and development of affordable housing, and assurances to design the project as much within the current freeway footprint as possible. On the other hand, I and others who live close to I-45 and will be directly affected by whatever does happen in some way and lets be clear, lots of people will be much more directly affected than I will are under no obligation to like this agreement, no matter how reasonable it may be and no matter how unprecedented it may be for TxDOT to bend as much as they apparently did. Agreements, Letter This 11th-hour ask to throw those votes away should not be tolerated, especially considering the State rejected the Countys offer to hold off on counting these votes while it sought clarification from the Supreme Court, Werner added. Harris County assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. 1, Longoria, Morgan, and other election officials and election workers across Texas can be imprisoned for a minimum of six months and fined up to $10,000 if they encourage a voter to apply for a mail ballot application. 2023-00952; Nile Copeland v. Judge Latosha Lewis Payne. Henry Flores, professor emeritus of political science at St. Marys University, had a slightly different take. The county and Claibornes lawyers are expected later on Friday to debate whether a temporary restraining order and injunction should be granted. On defining solicitation, because a felony criminal prosecution is possible, Justice Jane Bland asked if the state should limit its meaning to the penal codes definition, which would restrict the term to situations where a public official induces someone to commit a criminal act. Further, the EAs Office discussed the plan for both May elections with both political parties as early as April 7. Affidavits of surety to surrender principal often list the premium and are filed by bail agents as an attempt to cut ties with a defendants bond, usually after a new charge. ; and. The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, known as the motor voter act, bars election officials from performing most voter roll maintenance activities within 90 days of a federal election. If you see it clear to forward me $1000 to cover the locksmith, I will egarly give you 20% of any monies recoverd." [deleted] 8 yr. ago We are excited to remain an active partner in this planning and development process.. The proceedings are pending. Sale, Contract Lawyers, please feel free to correct me as needed. Access to quality Texas Attorney Vacation Form templates online with US Legal Forms. This election took countless hours of work not only by county employees, but by election judges and workers from both parties. The law has drawn multiple lawsuits in addition toLongoria v. Paxton. If thats what we have to do, then so be it. I have $15 Million in Zimbabwe dollars locked in a safe. Harris County will pause its lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation over the proposed Interstate 45 widening in hopes that it leads to a consensus that has eluded them for more than four years. The county's position on his determination that the county defunded the Precinct 5 Constable's Office has not changed. Why Would I Get A Letter From Harris County Attorney Harris County Attorneys - LII Texas Attorney Directory - Cornell University Arturo G. MichelDecember 3, 2020 -- Mayor Sylvester Turner has selected a familiar name and a well-respected attorney to join the administration as the City's chief legal counsel and advisor. That doesnt change the fact that his filing is trash and should be rejected by SCOTx on the grounds that these people deserve to have their votes counted. Judge Singh is represented by Anthony Drumheller. To say the least, that is a massive, massive upending of the regular democratic order. First of all , the individual will have the guidance and information they need to begin negotiating a settlement rather than immediately preparing for court. (lost to Judge Manpreet Monica Singh), Mark Goldberg, former candidate forHarris County Criminal Court at Law No. Im fine with this approach if theres a path to meeting the needs of the many people and groups that have been objecting to the design of this project, then sure, lets go for it but I wouldnt get my hopes up too much. Harris County assumes no liability for damages incurred directly or indirectly as a result of errors, omissions or discrepancies. Theres no reason, just because youve turned 65, that you cant show up to vote, Hall said in promoting the changes during the June GOP Convention in Houston. 2022-79328; Erin Lunceford v. Judge Tami Craft. 8(lost to Judge Erika Ramirez), Bruce Bain, former candidate for the269th District Court(lost to Judge Cory Sepolio), Michelle Fraga, former candidate for the281st District Court(lost to Judge Christine Weems), Elizabeth Buss, former candidate for theHarris County Criminal Court at Law No. Liens, Real People accused of violent crimes should not get any discounts while they await trial, Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia, who proposed the fee minimum to county commissioners, said in a statement. View Website View Lawyer Profile Email Lawyer. None of the affidavits led to county elections officials removing any names from the voter rolls. I think Harris County has the right response here. Hidalgos order requires students, teachers, staff and visitors to K-12 schools and daycare centers to wear face coverings. This is all bullshit and should be seen as such. Rodriguez previewed his order throughout a Friday morning hearing during which he repeatedly pressed the states attorneys with increasing exasperation to fill in what he cataloged as ambiguities in the new law. If the questions are not answered, she would therefore still need to have the temporary injunction in place, he said. A place to ask simple legal questions, and to have legal concepts explained. This section is responsible for receiving and processing incoming customer requests including purchasing copies and reports and filing documents in existing cases (causes). Hidalgo 612,111 1,095,479 101,400 36,568 State attorneys said that the law did not apply to volunteers like Morgan and argued the government can prohibit interactions between local election officials and voters without running afoul of the First Amendment. A Republican is going to win during the primary election. 1 provision no later than February 14, 2022. . Erin Lunceford is represented by Andy Taylor. Until then, we wait. Purchase Copies (certified, non-certified, or exemplified) It appears you forgot to include your location in the title or body of your post. Menefee. Which makes this entire spectacle little more than a plea for attention and a waste of everyones time. Mr. Here @JudgeGenesis Draper. Judge Horwitz is represented by John Raley. local news and culture, Faith Bugenhagen It seems like the intent was to keep I-45 on the TxDOT project list for at least a little longer, to see if an agreement among all the parties can be reached. Will, Advanced They were wrong back when they tried this the first time the comptroller and his allies and theyre wrong again now, County Judge Lina Hidalgo said before the court met in executive session Thursday. How much does a District Attorney make? The travel time alone for the attorneys will be in the thousands when ZOOM meetings are not allowed! Approval of the deal would automatically trigger a request by county officials drop the lawsuit against TxDOT.