A new study from the RAND Corporation shows that young adults under the age of 26 are far more likely to be arrested than people in older generations. These alarming arrest rates are accompanied by lower rates of employment, lower income and less of a chance of being married. These findings come from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, a long-running survey that gathers information from more than 5,000 families and 35,000 individuals in Texas and other states. Arrest and conviction rates rose significantly for young people in all ethnic groups as well as for both men and women. Only 1 in 100 women over the age of 66 had been arrested before the age of 26, but 1 in 7 women age 26 to 35 were arrested before turning 26. While black men are still more likely to be arrested than white men of the same age group, the rates have been converging over time. Income and education level were strongly associated with arrest rates for young people. About 60 percent of men without a…Read More
A routine traffic stop on March 6 led to a major Texas school superintendent being detained. The man, who has been superintendent of the Waco Independent School District since April 2017, was charged with misdemeanor possession of drugs. He was booked into Robertson County Jail, which is located in Franklin. According to a Texas Department of Public Safety spokesperson, the man was stopped by a trooper while traveling approximately 55 miles southeast of Waco on U.S. 190. The man was driving in a passing lane but was not passing other vehicles. A trooper pulled the man over for the alleged lane violation. Once the trooper approached the vehicle, he allegedly smelled marijuana. Upon searching the vehicle, less than 2 ounces of marijuana was found. The man was held overnight for his alleged drug crime and then released the next morning. The school board is holding a special meeting to address the incident. The man had a five-year contract to serve as superintendent in Waco. Prior to being hired in the Waco school district, he served as superintendent…Read More
An investigation of drug activity in a Marlin neighborhood resulted in the issuance of a search warrant for a residence at 300 Durr St. According to reports, sheriff's deputies in Falls County raided the property and arrested two 40-year-old men and one 17-year-old minor. Within the property, law enforcement officers reported finding over $1,000 in cash, 9 grams of methamphetamine, small bags of marijuana, digital scales, a surveillance system, a .45 caliber handgun and a modified .22 rifle. The minor obtained release on a $2,500 surety bond, but the adult men remain in jail because a judge denied them an opportunity to post bond. A news release from the sheriff detailed the charges against the adult men, which included possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor marijuana possession, manufacturing of a controlled substance and resisting arrest. One of the men reportedly received treatment at a local emergency room after suffering minor injuries in an altercation with a deputy during his arrest. Authorities applied additional charges to one of the men for possessing a firearm as a felon.…Read More
Vince Young is a familiar name to football fans in Texas and now to local police in Missouri City as well after his arrest for allegedly driving under the influence. The retired NFL quarterback initially issued an apology on Twitter to his fans, friends and family following the arrest. His latest statement, however, referred to the DWI charge as an allegation. He said that he is innocent and has faith in his lawyer's ability to defend him. After his traffic stop, he spent a short amount of time in the Fort Bend County Jail. He secured his release on a $500 bond. When asked for comments by reporters, he said that he was strong and that everything happens for a reason. Young enjoyed a strong career as a football player, which started when he was in Madison High School. While playing for The University of Texas, he achieved a national championship victory at the 2006 Rose Bowl. The Heisman Trophy eluded him although he was a runner-up for the award. He earned Pro Bowl honors…Read More
Texas, like the rest of the country, has a mass incarceration problem. In 2008, when the issue was at its peak, there were 1,000 inmates per every 100,000 adults in the U.S. In an effort to drive that number down, many jurisdictions began offering more incarceration alternatives for low-level offenders. As a result, the U.S. incarceration rate fell to 830 inmates per 100,000 adults. While this is a step in the right direction, experts say that much more needs to be done. In 2018, Congress passed the FIRST STEP Act, which reduces sentences for nonviolent offenders convicted in the federal court system. This is helpful, but it does nothing to reduce the number of inmates produced by state courts. In order to reduce the number of inmates in non-federal prisons, experts say that judges should be given more leeway when dealing with violent offenders. This does not mean that violent offenders should be dumped back on the street to endanger the public. Instead, it means that more should be done to differentiate between truly violent offenders and…Read More
Because of advances in technology, it's easier for teens in Texas and elsewhere in the country seeking controlled substances to find ways to do so. While marijuana and alcohol are still the main substances illegally obtained by teens, some young people within this age group are also experimenting with prescription drugs, potent narcotics, and various street drugs. Teens typically obtain drugs by pooling their money together, getting them from a friend who has access to drugs, or stealing prescription drugs from medicine cabinets at home. Regardless of how drugs are obtained, teens sharing them with others can be charged with serious drug crimes. It's also possible for charges to be brought against anyone who may be considered a party to drug-related crime, including victims' friends, siblings, and parents who may have had knowledge of drug-related activities. For instance, one teen and two classmates faced murder charges after LSD passed along to a friend resulted in a fatal OD. Even if a teenager or young adult isn't actively selling drugs, they may still be held responsible if…Read More
Waking up after a night out drinking can be painful. However, the situation can get much worse for people who drive before their blood alcohol content (BAC) is back down to zero. Drivers who get in a vehicle while hungover might receive a “day after DUI.” Day after DUIs received their name, because they occur the next morning after a driver was under the influence of alcohol the night before. While people tend to assume that a good night's sleep is enough to reduce the body's BAC, this is not always the case. It can take up to 90 minutes for a person's BAC to drop to zero after one alcoholic drink. Depending on the amount of drinks you have the night before, your BAC could be much higher than you think when you start driving the next morning. Texas takes DUI convictions very seriously. Unfortunately, the penalties for a DUI the next day are just as severe. Even a first DUI offense can cost you up to $2 thousand dollars and a six-month license suspension. The…Read More
