A pair of candidates for city council have criminal records but can still run despite a state law barring convicted felons from public office.
J. Brad Batteau, 38, has the most extensive criminal record, including a felony conviction for a robbery when he was 17. He received probation and 30 days in county jail. He's also pleaded guilty to misdemeanors ranging from theft of plumbing supplies to criminal mischief for breaking a phone.
The other candidate, John C. Gibbs, a Baptist pastor and president of a community development corporation in north Houston, was indicted for felony assault after hitting his wife with a belt in 1998.
Batteau and Gibbs are eligible to run for council because they successfully completed probation, according to criminal lawyers and state officials.
Batteau's felony robbery conviction was set aside by a judge in 1995 after his probation was terminated; Gibbs avoided conviction through a deferred adjudication process.
I want to know what everyone thinks about this? I thought it was interesting. I myself am at Ahh because I don't know what to think...
Yesterday on my way to pick up my son I was stopped by a Harris County Precient 4 Constable right in front of the babysitter's house. He stopped me and asked for my driver's license and insurance. Which is normal procedure. Well I forgot to put my new insurance card in my car because it had just renewed. I had my owe insurance card and an actual bill I just rec'd in the mail. He told me I am not looking at that. The officer was very rude. He told me I had two minutes to find it or he would tow my car. Mind you I told him I can make a call and have my card there in 10 minutes. He was like "I don't have that kind of time." A tow truck was not around so he called and they were there in a matter of minutes. When they were putting my car on the tow truck he stated if I need to be dropped off at the corner store or could I stay here and wait for a ride. I didn't have my cell phone with me but I stayed at the babysitters. He was being so rude. He then told me I was lucky because he was saving me $200 because my brake light was out and he was giving me a ticket for that. I didn't know my brake light was out. I then asked him where to pick up my car and if I can go pick it up right then. He told me they are open 24 hrs. The tow truck told me $80 for the tow. Then I found out from the babysitter if I would have turned in the her driveway even after he put his lights on he couldn't do anything. Is that true? She then told me that he had been stopping people all day Monday and yesterday and there were cars getting towed almost everytime he stopped them. I called the storage and they told me I couldn't pick my car up til 9am today. I go there and the sign reflects that there is an hour notice before the car could be picked up but when I called the storage 5 times last night she said there is no way I can get my car out last night? Is that another way they can charge an overnight fee??? Well, after $194.35 for getting my car out of the pound I am stressed out because I didn't have the money in the first place.
I am mad and fustrated. I just feel as though it was a waste of my time and money. I have since put the insurance card in my car. I have never ever been stopped by a cop and been treated so rudely.
My questions are: When did they start towing for cars for having no insurance? Where can I file a complaint at? Do you know what the regulations for the towing cost and storage fees because I think $194.35 was not right. The tow man told me $80 so is the storage more than the tow??
Sorry, it may feel like a am rambling but I am livid.
A judge's daughter was convicted of intoxication manslaughter, after a jury decided today she was responsible for the death of her boyfriend in a freeway crash last year.
I think she thought she would get away with it being the judge's daughter.
Do you think it was the right verdict??
How much time do you think she will get or should get?
