Galveston Judge Says No Deals for Anyone Who Attacks Cops

GALVESTON, TX — No one's getting off lightly for hurting cops in Judge Kerry Neves' courtroom.

Neves, who presides over the 10th District Court in Galveston, issued an order prohibiting deals for deferred ajudication or probation in cases where a cop or other public servant was attacked.

While many people will applaud the move, the order also bans probation deals for anyone charged with evading or resisting arrest, which are more complicated cases.

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Is it evading arrest if a police officer initiates a traffic stop on a single woman at night and she pulls over into a well lit area instead of stopping on the side of the road? Most people would say no, but then again the rookie cop on the beat might think otherwise.

Recognizing that the role of the judiciary is to evaluate and weigh the facts of the cases at hand, Neves did leave a window for probation and deferred ajudication deals to be accepted.

"In the event the State and the defense attorney believe there is compelling evidence to support such an agreement, the Court may consider it if presented with such evidence," Neves wrote.

The approval of any deferred ajudication or probation deal involving an attack on or resistance to cops or other public servants will require "a sincere written statement of apology to the officer or officers involved, and agreement from the officer or officers involved to the plea bargain agreement," according to Neves order.

He also added that a defendant's prior criminal history will be a major factor in determining the approval of any agreement for probation or deferred ajudication in a case involving assault on a public servant, evasion, escape or resisting arrest.

It's also worth noting that, in Texas, a whole host of people not directly related to law enforcement are considered public servants, including park rangers, city council candidates and notaries.