Quote:Democratic state senators contemplating a walkout to block congressional redistricting might be constitutionally protected from arrest by state police if they flee the Capitol, a lawyer has advised the senators.
Criminal defense attorney Keith Hampton also told the Senate Democratic Caucus that an arrest by a Senate sergeant at arms or a private security agency to force senators to the Senate floor for a vote might be prosecutable as kidnapping under state law.
"And it gets worse than that. If someone in the Legislature directed them to do that, there is the crime of conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping," punishable by up to life in prison, Hampton told the Houston Chronicle Thursday.
As redistricting nears death in the current special legislative session, Gov. Rick Perry has signaled that he may call another session as early as next week to try again to pass a bill.
Sen. Mario Gallegos, D-Houston, said he believes 11 of the Senate's 12 Democrats are committed to a walkout if they decide it is necessary to stop redistricting. He said he hopes Perry will back off and not call another special session.
"I know a stalemate when I see one, and I know when Texans have had enough," Gallegos said.
Houston Chronicle
The people are speaking, and the Republicans in Texas ignore them at their peril.
(on first edit: the session that wouldn't die.)
(on second edit: the showdown is looming...)
(on third edit: session with quorum begins next week...)
(on fourth and fifth edit: title change says it all...)