By Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
On Monday, December 29, 2014 community leaders and concerned citizens took a stance against what they believe to be an unfair and unjust grand jury system in Harris County. The stance I’m talking about played out in the form of a march for justice that originated at Shape Community Center located in Houston’s Third Ward and ended on the steps of The Criminal Courthouse located in downtown Houston.
The march, entitled: The Jordan Baker March for Justice was formed in response to a recent no-bill of HPD Officer Juventino Castro, who fatally shot Jordan Baker, yet another unarmed black man killed by a police officer who is sworn to protect and serve the people.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
The aforementioned rally and march is a great way to bring attention to what some believe are the senseless killings of black men in America. But these sorts of events must be coupled with proactive steps as well. And getting involved as grand jurors is a very good "PROACTIVE" way for us to insure fairness and the integrity of the grand jury system on the front-end of these sorts of issues. Also, making sure that we have district attorneys, sheriffs, mayors, legislators and judges in place who love God, value us, and care about issues and concerns important to us is vitally important. Always remember this: "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn." -- Proverbs 29:2
What Allegedly Happened
To give you a little history on this, Jordan Baker was shot and killed on January 16, 2014 after (HPD) Houston Police Department Officer Juventino Castro stopped him in a shopping center on Houston’s northside to question him. According to Officer Castro, Baker ran from him prior to a brief struggle. But due to the event that followed, Jordan Baker is not here to give his side of what happened on that fatal day. However, according to Officer Castro he fired once in fear for his life as Baker allegedly made a move to pull something from his waistband. It turns out that no weapon was found in Baker’s waistband, or on any other part of his person.
The rally and march for justice was organized in part by: Black Lives Matter: TX, Houston Justice Coalition, Bee Busy, Houston Peace and Justice Center and ACLU of Texas.
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By Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
I recently received an email from community activist Charles X White discussing how citizens in Harris County can become a part of the grand jury process. Below are a few facts related to: who can serve on a grand jury; what a grand jury is; how a grand jury is selected; when and where a grand jury meets and much more helpful information.
After the 2014 deaths of Jordan Baker, an unarmed man in Houston, Texas, Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, Eric Garner, an unarmed black male who died after being placed in a choke hold by a white police officer in Staten Island, New York, the grand jury process in America has come under fire. So I thought the information below would help concerned Harris County citizens who would like to make a difference by serving on a grand jury. Here goes:
What is a Grand Jury?
A grand jury consists of twelve people whose job is to review criminal complaints and decide if there is sufficient evidence to issue an indictment. The standard of proof for an indictment is probable cause.
Who can serve on a Grand Jury?
A person can serve on a grand jury in Harris County if he:
is a citizen of Harris County, Texas, and qualified to vote in Harris County; is of sound mind and good moral character; is able to read and write; has never have been convicted of any felony; is not under indictment or other legal accusation for theft or any felony; is not on probation for theft or any felony; has not served as a grand juror or grand jury commissioner in the last year; is not related to any person selected to serve or serving on the same grand jury; is not a complainant in any matter to be heard by the grand jury during the term of court for which he has been selected as a grand juror.
How is a grand jury selected?
The court selects 3 to 5 grand jury commissioners. These commissioners are charged with compiling a list of not less than 15 nor more than 40 persons to be summoned as grand jurors. From this list, the court impanels twelve (12) grand jurors and two (2) alternate grand jurors to serve.
The law requires the commissioners to select grand jurors who “represent a broad cross section of the population of the county, considering the factors of race, sex and age.”
This means that if, even if the court summons you, you may or may not be selected to serve. If you are not selected, this is not a reflection on you, but rather the court’s attempt to comply with the requirements of the law.
Why would I want to serve on a Grand Jury?
Only a small percentage of citizens are privileged to serve on a grand jury. Those who take advantage of this unusual opportunity enjoy having a close up view of the criminal justice system and participating in the process. Serving on a grand jury provides a unique education about our criminal justice system.
Grand jurors meet new and interesting people and often form lasting bonds with fellow grand jurors. We always receive letters from former grand jurors stating what a rewarding experience they had and how much they will miss their fellow grand jurors.
Grand jurors are also offered the opportunity to ride with a patrol officer from the Harris County Sheriff's Department and take a tour of the county morgue.
When and where does the Grand Jury meet?
Ten new grand juries are empanelled for each of the January and July Terms, with five serving at one time in three-month intervals. Each grand jury meets for two scheduled days a week at 1201 Franklin, 3rd Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. The grand jury's workday can last as long as a regular work day, but is often shorter.
Will I be paid for Grand Jury Service?
Grand Jurors are paid $6.00 for the first session and $28.00 for each subsequent session in the grand jury term.
How can I serve on a Grand Jury?
To be considered for the next grand jury, you must fill out the grand juror application, have it notarized, and mail it in to the Administrative Office of the District Courts, 1201 Franklin, 7th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002. If you do not truthfully answer the questions on your application, you could be prosecuted for criminal offenses.
Turning in the application means that you are making a commitment to serve as a grand juror, not merely exploring the possibility. Do not send in the application unless you can commit the time and effort required of a grand juror.
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Best regards,
Aubrey R. Taylor
Publisher of Houston Business Connections Magazine
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PEOPLE FEATURED ON THE COVER: Businessman Craig Joseph (owner of Houston's This Is It Soul Food). FBISD Superintendent Dr. Charles Dupre, TSU Program Director Dr. Michael O. Adams (Director of the eMPA and MPA programs at Texas Southern University), Judge Loyd Wright (District Probate Judge for Court #1 in Harris County), Businessman Bill Frazer (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston), Controller Ronald C. Green (City of Houston Controller), Mayor Allen Owen (the mayor of Missouri City), Judge Christine Riddle Butts (District Probate Judge for Court #4 in Harris County), Grayle James (the FBISD President of the Board of Trustees), and Educator/Attorney Carroll G. Robinson (2015 Candidate for Controller of Houston). Email your request to (aubreyrtaylor@gmail.com) if you would like to have a copy of our "2014 Year-End Review" edition of Houston Business Connections Magazine mailed directly to your home or business.
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About Carroll G. Robinson
Carroll G. Robinson is an Associate Professor and a former Associate Dean of External Affairs at the Barbara Jordan-Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs at Texas Southern University (TSU) in Houston, Texas. Professor Robinson is currently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Community College System (HCC) and a Citizen Member of the Board of Trustees of the Houston Firefighters’ Relief and Retirement Fund. He is a former member of the Board of Directors and Board of Advisors of K9s4COPs. He is also a past chairman of the Houston Citizens Chamber of Commerce.
Professor Robinson is a former At-Large (elected citywide) member of the Houston (Texas) City Council. As a member of the City Council, Professor Robinson chaired the city’s Transportation, Technology and Infrastructure Committee.
Professor Robinson represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Houston-Galveston Area Council, the local council of regional governments. He served as a member of the Board’s Budget Committee and was a Vice Chair of the Transportation Policy Council. He also represented the City of Houston on the Board of Directors of the Alliance for I-69 Texas and TEX-21, a statewide transportation coalition of elected officials, business leaders and transportation and infrastructure professionals.
Professor Robinson is a former member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities where he served as a member of the Board’s Finance Committee and was a member of the Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Steering Committee. He is a former member of the Texas Municipal League’s Utilities and Environment Committee, and Transportation Task Force; Advisory Board of the Texas Environmental Defense Fund; a past President of the Texas Association of Black City Council Members where he was also a member of the Housing Committee; a former member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (NBC-LEO); a former member of the Texas Attorney General’s Municipal Advisory Committee (1998); Founding Chairman of the Democratic Leadership Council’s Local Elected Officials Network; a former Chairman of the National League of Cities Democratic Municipal Officials; a former member of the Democratic National Committee (DNC); and a former General Counsel of the Texas Democratic Party.
Prior to his election to the Houston City Council, Professor Robinson was an Associate Professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University. He has also worked as an adjunct Professor at South Texas College of Law.
Professor Robinson has worked in the Texas Legislature as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. He received his Bachelor of Arts (with Honors) in Political Science from Richard Stockton State College in Pomona, New Jersey (where he received a Certificate of Academic Accomplishment in African-American Studies) and his Juris Doctorate from the National Law Center at George Washington University in Washington, D.C.
Professor Robinson is a Life Member of the NAACP and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He is the author or co-author of numerous legal and public policy articles and commentaries. Robinson plans to put his vast experience and know-how to work for the people of Houston should voters choose him as the best candidate in the race for City of Houston Controller on the Tuesday, November 3, 2015 City of Houston Mayoral Election ballot.
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