July 4th "Let's Chat"

We the People on the 250th Anniversary of the USA and Texas declared its independence from Mexico on March 2, 1836. This year marks the 190th anniversary of that historic event, which established the Republic of Texas.

With those historical facts, We the People, have options.

Local cities - Home Rule

Recall to remove Elected Officials

Counties

Removing Elected County Officials

Now we may have forgotten - the Grand Jury.

Yes, The Grand Jury in Texas.

Let's recap -

In Texas, a grand jury is a group of 12 citizens in paneled to investigate felony criminal accusations and determine if there is enough probable cause to formally charge an individual with a crime.

Rather than deciding guilt or innocence, they act as an independent screening body.

Contrary to common misconception, primary laws governing the grand jury are located in the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure (Chapters 19A and 20A), rather than the Texas Government Code.

Today Juries are - selected -

Random Pool:

Prospective jurors are drawn randomly by computer from voter registration and driver’s license rolls.

Summons:

The county summons a pool of residents using the same process as standard trial (petit) juries.

Final Panel:

From those who report, the district court judge screens for qualifications and selects 12 grand jurors and 4 alternate grand jurors. To qualify, a candidate must be a citizen, a resident of the summoning county, at least 18 years old, able to read and write, and have no pending felony charges or theft convictions.

Powers of the Grand Jury Texas: grand juries possess expansive powers to independently evaluate criminal matters.

1. Subpoena Power: They can issue subpoenas to compel witnesses to testify or order the production of physical evidence.

2. Independent Investigation: They can look into county conditions or public misconduct on their own accord.

3. Witness Examination: They can interview suspects and witnesses under oath.

4. Total Secrecy: They operate completely behind closed doors; only jurors may be present during deliberations and voting.

5. Indictment Votes: To officially charge someone, at least 9 of the 12 jurors must vote to issue a "True Bill" (indictment). If they find insufficient evidence, they issue a "No Bill," which terminates the case.

Case Sources and Referral Mechanisms.

1. Prosecutorial Referrals (most commonly used): Cases informed by the attorney representing the state.

2. Juror Personal Knowledge: Offenses of which any grand juror may have personal knowledge.

3. Citizen Disclosures: Offenses reported to the panel by any other credible person.

Grand Juries can review and investigate "Official Misconduct", meaning a grand jury can review misdemeanor cases involving misconduct by public officials.

So review your homework -

Look it up -

The Grand Jury can investigate through Juror Personal Knowledge and Citizen Disclosures.

Grand Jury can investigate Felonies and Official Misconduct.

Maybe you have more options than you thought

I can only report I can give you information.

We the People have options

We the People who are the US

We the People who are Texas

Texans Standing with Texans

We Deserve Better

Make sure

We the People are being heard

I still say special session by -

Governor Abbott

But I think you understand other options are in the hands of - We the People.