The Austin Court of Appeals recently ordered the expunction of the records of a sex offense investigation. Amazingly, the petitioner was able to obtain this expunction from the comfort of his prison cell, where he was locked up for another crime. For details, go to:

http://www.3rdcoa.courts.state.tx.us/opinions/htmlopinion.asp?OpinionId=11371

Does anyone think the expunction statute is a joke?

JOHN: WE GET OUR FAIR SHARE OF EXPUNCTION REQUESTS. THE HEINE CASE IS FROM OUR JURISDICTION, AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW TO THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT.

That's great. I hope it gets straightened out, although I can't remember the last time the Supreme Court took an expunction case.

Meanwhile, that entire mess of a law needs to be punted. Too many relevant records are being destroyed in cases that have nothing to do with innocence.