Police brutality remains a critical concern, highlighted once again by the recent plea agreement involving former Austin Police Officer Alejandro Gaitan, who was accused of using excessive force during the arrest of Carvius Jackson in 2021. Under the plea deal, Gaitan pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault charges, accepting responsibility for his actions. In exchange, he…
Supreme Court Decision Shields Police and Public Employees in Emergency Responses In a ruling with significant implications for personal injury law, the Texas Supreme Court has granted immunity to police officers and other government employees when their actions during emergency responses result in injury or accidental death. This decision, reported by the Austin American-Statesman, raises…
Police Brutality: Jailers Broke Man’s Leg and Hip, Lawsuit Says A man named Johnny Tijerina is suing Williamson County, saying jailers hurt him badly while he was in jail. He says they broke his leg and hip and didn’t help him for hours, even though he was screaming in pain. The lawsuit claims this was…
The recent U.S. Supreme Court decision allowing Elise Brown, an 83-year-old woman, to sue police officers for excessive force marks a pivotal moment in the battle against police brutality. Brown’s case, arising from a mistaken traffic stop in 2019, challenges the long-standing doctrine of qualified immunity, which often protects officers from liability in civil rights…
In the quiet of an early October morning in 2019, the life of 8-year-old Zion Carr was irrevocably altered. The fatal shooting of his aunt, Atatiana Jefferson, by Fort Worth police officer Aaron Dean, while responding to a welfare check, not only claimed Jefferson’s life but also inflicted deep psychological scars on young Zion. Atatiana…
The Burden of Billions in Police Misconduct Settlements In recent years, cases of police misconduct have led to substantial settlements, highlighting a critical issue in law enforcement accountability. These settlements, amounting to billions of dollars nationwide, are often paid by local governments, with little to no financial repercussions for the police departments or individual officers…
Austin City Council members approved a resolution last week saying it is their “clear will” that police officers not personally collect blood from people suspected of driving while intoxicated. During the meeting, police leaders told the council that they have abandoned plans to train a group of officers to act as phlebotomists. Police Chief Art…
City Council members voted Thursday to settle for $250,000 a lawsuit brought by two men who were struck in 2006 by an Austin police officer’s car while they were changing a flat tire. The money will be used to cover medical expenses and be divided between Marvin Clayborne and Stephan Center, both of whom were…
Austin police released an annual ranking of bars where motorists who were stopped on suspicion of drunken driving reported having their most recent drinks. Several bars in downtown topped the list including Rain, Oilcan Harry’s, and The Ranch. Police are using the list to help target enforcement efforts. The rankings are based on information drivers…
