quote:

Originally posted by radioman:
I always thought a "Low Level" crime was spitting on the sidewalk, or Jay-Walking.

The bar has been moved up quite a bit. Our new Idiot Prosecutor said his office wouldn't issue any warrants (citations aka tickets only) on Class E felonies and below, which include Stalking, Aggravated Stalking, several child sex crimes, Felony Non Support (which the new Prosecutor has been guilty of), all stealing and property damage crimes. Same stupid ideas that have not worked anywhere except to raise crime rates.

quote:

Originally posted by oldbill123:
Is illegal entry a small crime ?

Yes. It is down from Burglary to Trespassing to Illegal Entry = no crime.

quote:

Originally posted by 2000Z-71:
Yes, the not prosecuting or punishing for low level crimes has worked out real well for Alaska.

You can say that again. My last couple of years as a cop, after SB91 passed, were a nightmare. I could, and I hate using this word, but it applies here.....I could for example, LITERALLY,arrest a DUI who blew a .200 (number doesn't matter, it's just an example from memory), take them to jail, and they would be OUT THE FRONT DOOR before I even finished up the booking paperwork. More than once the person I'd arrested for DUI was picked up a second time for DUI in the same night. No jail time for all misdemeanors except in the case of a DV assault, or a 2nd DUI. Ridiculous, and one of the main reasons I decided to get out when I did.

quote:

Originally posted by Ozarkwoods:
So if they are not going to prosecute these crimes are the Law Enforcement Agencies not going to respond to thefts under $750? Is it not a waste of department resources to send out an officer(s) on something that will go no further? Is this amount a diminished value? So the insurance company devalues an item 20% per year if someone is looking for an enclosed trailer just take one that is six years old? Value is less then $750. What is the property value amount limit a Texan can protect with lethal force?

The agency I work for will still send a cop to take the report, but it is essentially documentation only for a number to give insurance and you may be waiting two hours or more before the cop shows up.

We also offer a convenient internet reporting option. Self serve, you write your own report online. Kind of like self checkout at the WalMart...

Anytime you hear anyone mention Criminal Justice “reform”, it is BOHICA for society.

The ultimate result will be Kim Foxx's Chicago.

Just keep that BS south of George Bush please......

We need to keep Texas .....Texas

Tejas lawyers....is it true you can use deadly force to protect property? I had heard that but wanted to confirm it?

I'm thinking of opening a gun store in the worst section oin the predominantly Somali area of Minneapolis-St. Paul. I want to name it "Bakara Market."

If I did something similar in the worst part of Dallas, what should I name it?

Hood's Hood High Hi-Point!'?

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
Tejas lawyers....is it true you can use deadly force to protect property? I had heard that but wanted to confirm it?

I heard that when I moved to Dallas in 1980, but I believe it was said that it was only legal after dark. (Maybe related to not being able to discern if the thief was armed?)

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by dewhorse:
Just keep that BS south of George Bush please......

We need to keep Texas .....Texas

Tejas lawyers....is it true you can use deadly force to protect property? I had heard that but wanted to confirm it?

The law provides more allowances after dark. Read the CHL manual. Joe Horn is the most publicized example.

$750 is low level now?

quote:

Originally posted by PD:
We’re getting like The Purge.
Life imitates art.

We could use a Purge............imagine the good that could come of it with our skills.

Time was most Texans took care of things themselves....................

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sgalczyn,

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
$750 is low level now?

it really depends. If Felonius kicks in my door and steals my jamomatic 1000 and then on his way to deliver his blankets to the poor he stops and pistol-whips some poor soul and steals $749 dollars from him I'll be facing the bench for failure to lock up my shooter and the fact that he got is prima facie evidence that it wasn't locked up.

10 grand, felony, possible jail, for me not Felonius.

makes sense though when you think about it...if you've been drinking.

I bet if a CHL holder doesn't see one of those stupid 30-06 signs, this DA would be all over it.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:
$750 is low level now?

Do you even inflation, bro?

If the government is going to encourage theft (and the violence that will inevitably come with it) then a whole bunch of this filth needs to be removed from the planet with extreme prejudice by the people they're attempting to prey on.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bigdeal,

"prey on"

flashguy

quote:

Originally posted by flashguy:
"prey on"

flashguy

Ease up will ya. No reading glasses + Cellphone + autocomplete = All sorts of unintended outcomes.

Or...they just turn them loose like they did with Smolett. Same difference.

I work for a large agency in Dallas County - I've been torn with just how to respond to this post, wanting to stay reasonable without interjecting my emotions into my post.

There is tremendous pushback from all of the police departments affected by this, we are just keeping the discussions and our responses out of the news media. I'll leave it at that.

Additionally, a lot of us are already using a work around to them not wanting to pursue Theft cases under $750. Normally, any Theft over $100 can be filed as a Class B Misdemeanor, placing the case within the county court system. However, it is common for patrol officers to respond to these and will reduce the charge at the scene to Attempted Theft u/ $750, making the charge a Class C Misdemeanor which places the case in their respective city court. The city court's are all "courts of record", so the defendants still end up with a conviction on their record. As soon as they rack up enough theft convictions, any new Theft offense bumps up to a felony, which the county then has to prosecute since it falls outside of the DA's office new guidance.

Through all of this, I'm reminded of the struggle Bullitt faced with Chalmers throughout the movie, and will end with these quotes:

Chalmers: "Come on, now. Don't be naive, Lieutenant. We both know how careers are made. Integrity is something you sell the public." Bullitt: "You sell whatever you want, but don't sell it here tonight."

[Bullitt to Chalmers] "You believe what you want. Look, you work your side of the street, and I'll work mine."