Outcry Over Judge’s Ban On Plea Deals For Threats To Law Enforcement

A Texas judge took to Facebook this week to say he had issued an order barring plea deals for anyone accused of threatening or endangering law enforcement. The post raised an uproar, and could lead to a formal complaint. “I may only be one person, one judge,” Kerry Neves of Galveston County wrote, “But I will do what I can to stop the disrespect and aggressive behavior against our police officers.” The July 18 order bans plea deals unless there is compelling evidence in support of such an agreement, the targeted officers agree, and the defendant writes a sincere apology. The order is “a breach of impartiality and basic fairness,” said John Convery, president of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association.