Misdemeanors are criminal offenses for which a person can be fined $4,000 or less and be sentenced to county jail for up to one year and they include crimes like simple assault, theft and DWI, first or second offense. Prosecuting this class of criminal offense in Liberty County is very important and necessary to encourage juveniles to respect the law and to keep DUI and DWI drivers off of the road - and juvenile sex offenders among many other things.
There are three classes of misdemeanor – A, B, and C. Previous investigation have indicated there is a problem in the courthouse with an unwillingness to prosecute juvenile misdemeanor cases, but complaints made to Liberty Dispatch indicate the problem is far worse than we first thought. Sources in the highest and the lowest places in Liberty County are voicing concerns that Liberty County Attorney Wes Hinch is more often than not refusing to prosecute all three classes of cases brought to him- clearly official misconduct on the part of Hinch.
Exact sentences are generally up to the judge, with recommendations from the prosecutor and, in certain cases, from the jury. In Liberty County, however, Judges and juries are far too often not even getting a chance to hear the cases. The deterrent prosecuting and publicizing things like DWI and juvenile sentences is currently an underused tool in Liberty County’s battle against crime because of the County Attorney’s inaction.
Different theories of why the County Attorney is shirking his responsibilities range from simple laziness to lack of confidence because of a lack of courtroom experience. His behavior is similar to that of the District Attorney who uses a strategy of endless delays and avoidance of courtroom showdowns to mask his own personal preferences and priorities, lack of skills, or political agenda.
It is the revelations of how the two men in charge of prosecuting cases are failing to protect us that make their participation in the annual vigil for victims so hypocritical. It is their lack of shame in using such a platform that makes the politics of both of these men – District Attorney Mike Little, a longtime Democrat and County Attorney Wes Hinch a first term Republican – obviously deceptive.
Their defense will likely be “we have budget problems”. But Hinch has stood by quietly and allowed his budget to be cut. And the fines and court costs involved in many of these cases results in a profit rather than an expense. As for DA Mike Little, his budget is bulging at the seams and has grown like a malignant cancer through thick and now thin economic times.
2012 is an election year, so get ready for political spin on this issue. In the meantime, lock your doors and get a security system for your house. The Sheriff’s Department and the JP’s and the Judges are doing their jobs, but the prosecutors are making crime the worst it has ever been in Liberty County.
LD Contributor
18 comments:
BONDS- JP Ronnie Davis, thanks for having the guts to be ethical and let the system work. The Liberty County DA has been abusing bonds for decades. If someone runs, let law enforcement do their job.
I hear Mike Little's puppets are telling everyone he is innocent... LMFAO
Those puppets only want to keep their jobs with Hitler= er Mike Little.
I heard Logan Picket has design on taking Little's job when he is removed from office.
I heard the same
Wes Hinch is a googled eyed fool.
Hey Hinch, start looking for another job
When is Hinch going to make the Liberty County corruption list? Heard he is secreting the recent latest crimes of some of those boys who assaulted that mexican girl in Cleveland.
More of his and Mike Littles BS to try to keep those boys they indicted looking like adults who committed crimes instead of the boys/kids they are.
I agree, the corruption in the Liberty County DA's and County attorneys office is the stinky turd in Liberty County, once they are flushed, we can have a decent place to live in Liberty County.
Dont lump all the employees of these two offices in with the DA and CA, some are good.
huh like who?
Seems like this sort of thing never ends in Liberty County. You elect a person that you think will do a good job as County Attorney and wind up with the same thing you just got rid of in the last election. Well there is a new election coming up and we just change out the ones that are not doing their jobs. People can be replaced until we get the right one in office. This is becoming ludicrus.
Here's an idea. Get rid of all the conservative thieves in this town. Bring in the "liberal" minded, and everyone lives happily-ever-after.
I have noticed waht I would call a crime wave among our youth. Now I see we are unable to do much about it. What pitiful times we live in. The Republicans must really be proud of Hinch!
I have NEVER heard one peep out of these lawyers trying to get more funds to deal with juveniles.
Most of this may sound like it is about money but a great deal of it is about working hard and paying attention to what needs to be done.
I think someone should file a motion to remove Mike Little and Wes Hinch from office.
All I can say is "ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL"
Post a Comment