Osler's Razor

Later this morning, it will be "Drug Day" in my Criminal Practice and Procedure class-- the class session devoted to a better understanding of illegal narcotics. It's important to cover this because drugs and drug culture permeates so much of criminal law and shapes things like plea agreements and probation conditions even in non-drug cases. In the past, we have seen some remarkable performances, including Chris Fahrenholt's legendary reading from William S. Burroughs' Junkie.

At a deeper level, though, I was reminded last night (at the showing of American Violet) of how students from this class have not only learned about the law, but then at times have made it better. David Moore was in my first Crim Prac and Pro class, and was an incredible student. In part because of his work in the Hearne case (together with the Bean family's work in Tulia), Texas law was changed to bar prosecution of narcotics cases on the uncorroborated testimony of a single informant. Just yesterday I covered that rule in this same class, without thinking through the connection-- that the rule changed after someone who sat in one of those seats took a huge risk and did the right thing. How cool is that?

Later this afternoon, I will be off to El Paso for my lecture tomorrow to the federal panel attorneys, which will focus on immigration issues. Which, by the way, will be our topic for Political Mayhem Thursday tomorrow...