Convicted judge resigns from bench

Donald Jackson is now a former judge having submitted his resignation earlier today. For those of you wanting to know the fate of the complaining witness, Ms. Ariana Venegas, her DWI case is still pending almost a year after being filed.

She was granted a personal bond, however.

If you live in a glass house...

The sad saga of Judge Donald Jackson took an odd turn yesterday when an attorney representing Ariana Venegas fired off a letter to Judge Jackson's attorneys and the press demanding a formal apology for his actions - and the fact that his attorneys presented a vigorous defense in court.

The irony is that Ms. Venegas' attorney, Mr. Rob Todd, is a former city councilman in Houston who carried on an affair with another (former) councilman's wife while serving on city council.

Mr. Todd has threatened to file suit against the county, Judge Jackson and his attorneys should his client not receive the requested apology by 5:00 p.m. this afternoon.

Is this the future of litigation - threatening to file defamation suits against criminal defendants who put on a defense at trial? Or is Mr. Todd trying to drum up business now that tort reform has all but killed off personal injury and medical malpractice work in Harris County?

Harris County judge sentenced to 30 days in jail

In a sad end to a judicial career, Judge Donald Jackson, who was convicted of official oppression last Friday, was sentenced to 2 years probation, with 30 days in the county jail as a condition, fined $4,000 and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for trying to solicit a romantic relationship from a DWI client in exchange for appointing her a new attorney.

“We are all tarnished by your stupidity." Judge Mark Kent Ellis

Judge Ellis also ruled that Jackson must leave the bench pending appeal.

The State of Texas v. Donald Wayne Jackson

This the language of the indictment in Cause No. 1230102; The State of Texas v. Donald Wayne Jackson; In the 351st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas:

IN THE NAME AND BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

The duly organized Grand Jury of Harris County, Texas, presents in the District Court of Harris County, Texas, that in Harris County, Texas, DONALD WAYNE JACKSON, hereafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about FEBRUARY 19, 2009, did then and there unlawfully, while a public servant acting under color of his office and employment, namely THE JUDGE OF COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NO. 3 OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, intentionally subject __________ hereafter styled the Complainant, to sexual harassment, to-wit UNWELCOME SEXUAL ADVANCES submission to which was EXPLICITLY AND IMPLICITLY made a term and condition of the Complainant’s exercise and enjoyment of a RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE by OFFERING TO GET THE COMPLAINANT A DIFFERENT ATTORNEY TO GET HER CASE DISMISSED IF SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE DEFENDANT AND ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THAT WAS MORE THAN A ONE-NIGHT STAND.

It is further presented that in Harris County, Texas, DONALD WAYNE JACKSON, hereafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about FEBRUARY 19, 2009, did then and there unlawfully, while a public servant acting under color of his office and employment, namely THE JUDGE OF COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NO. 3 OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, intentionally subject __________ hereafter styled the Complainant, to sexual harassment, to-wit REQUEST FOR SEXUAL FAVORS submission to which was EXPLICITLY AND IMPLICITLY made a term and condition of the Complainant’s exercise and enjoyment of a RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE by OFFERING TO GET THE COMPLAINANT A DIFFERENT ATTORNEY TO GET HER CASE DISMISSED IF SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE DEFENDANT AND ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THAT WAS MORE THAN A ONE-NIGHT STAND.

It is further presented that in Harris County, Texas, DONALD WAYNE JACKSON, hereafter styled the Defendant, heretofore on or about FEBRUARY 19, 2009, did then and there unlawfully, while a public servant acting under color of his office and employment, namely THE JUDGE OF COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NO. 3 OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, intentionally subject __________ hereafter styled the Complainant, to sexual harassment, to-wit VERBAL CONDUCT OF A SEXUAL NATURE submission to which was EXPLICITLY AND IMPLICITLY made a term and condition of the Complainant’s exercise and enjoyment of a RIGHT AND PRIVILEGE by OFFERING TO GET THE COMPLAINANT A DIFFERENT ATTORNEY TO GET HER CASE DISMISSED IF SHE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN THE DEFENDANT AND ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM THAT WAS MORE THAN A ONE-NIGHT STAND.

AGAINST THE PEACE AND DIGNITY OF THE STATE.

It makes one wonder if the rumors earlier this month regarding Judge Jackson's supposed resignation were actually the terms of a proposed plea bargain. Was Judge Jackson afforded the opportunity to resign his bench in exchange for the matter being dropped?

Not being one to say "I told you so," but...

Well, it appears that, in the end, I was right. Okay, he hasn't resigned but a special judge is being appointed to sit in his court after this morning's bombshell.

I received a phone call from a reporter at KHOU-TV at lunchtime today asking me whether I knew if Judge Donald Jackson was resigning from the bench after being indicted for misdemeanor official oppression.

So, Mr. Anonymous (and since there are at least two of y'all, I don't know who is who), I'll toss your snarky comment back at you...

Anonymous said...

Not sure where you get your information, but to my knowledge and resources, Judge Jackson has not resigned. It may be wise to get the facts with confirmation before spreading defaming blotter about an elected official. It is obvious you wanted to be the one to 'break the news' as if you are some sort of an insider, but instead, you 'broke' the law!

Section 39.03 of the Texas Penal Code defines the offense of official oppression.

A public servant acting under color of his office or employment commits an offense if he...intentionally subjects another to sexual harassment.

Allegedly telling a defendant that things would go much easier if she laid down seems to fall under the category of "unwelcome sexual advances, request for sexual favors, or other verbal of physical conduct of a sexual nature, submission to which is made a term or condition of a person's exercise or enjoyment of any right, privilege, power or immunity, either explicitly or implicitly." (Texas Penal Code Section 39.03(c)).

Official oppression is a Class A misdemeanor carrying a maximum punishment of up to one year in the county jail and a fine of up to $4,000.

Harris County criminal judge resigns out of the blue

The rumor mill is a-swirling down at 1201 Franklin with the sudden resignation of the Hon. Donald Jackson, the presiding judge of Harris County Criminal Court at Law No. 3. As no one has yet to confirm the reason for Judge Jackson's resignation, I have prepared a generic statement to explain the goings-on on the 8th Floor of the Harris County Criminal (In)justice Center.

"This is a very difficult time for my family and I right now. I would like to apologize to my family, my colleagues, my supporters and the citizens of Harris County for _______________ and any embarassment it may have caused. At this time I feel it best for my family and this court that I resign. I also want to thank all the people who have supported me through the years - without your hard work and dedication I never would have had the opportunity to serve the citizens of Harris County."

If there are any other elected officials in Harris County needing to make a quick exit from public life, please feel free to cut-and-paste this statement as necessary.