Under California law, the affidavit in support of Michael Jackson's arrest is sealed for 45 days. That lets authorities finish their investigation. Why can't we get a law like that in Texas?

One reason we have such difficulty getting some of our legislation passed is because the only representatives with a bar card practicing in the criminal arena are criminal defense lawyers. Prosecutors need not apply.

[This message was edited by Bob Cole on 11-20-03 at .]

I believe Sen. Wentworth authored a bill like that in the 77th L. (2001) but it didn't get very far, probably for the reasons mentioned previously ...

As we just learned locally, getting a record sealed (like an autopsy report), doesnt guarantee it won't be released. Our local newspaper, the Round Rock Leader, accidentally received the autopsy in a local murder, even though it was sealed, when the clerk mailed it. Not surprisingly, the paper felt no obligation to send it back and published it -- even though they were warned it could interfere with the ongoing investigation.

Go figure.