I asked a friend to call and, after getting a bit of runaround and mild attempts at intimidation, it appears that the hearing on the Hoffman animals will be Thursday morning, February 4, at 11 AM in the District Court’s courtroom which is located in the Marion County Courthouse in Jefferson, TX.
There are at least 3 cause numbers:
- CR 10-0185
- CR 10-0175
- CR 10-0112
All styled: State of Texas v. Barbara Hoffman and Fred Lulling
Those cause numbers and styles raise some issues. As I said in an earlier entry, the seizure case is usually styled “In Re: 500 dogs” or something similar. Use of “In Re” is to indicate a non-adversarial case, usually one involving an estate, a highway or other public matter, or some form of “res” (a thing, an object). In Re has also become the common designation for CPS actions concerning children which I’ve always found quite offensive. Children are not objects, not property, and any action to remove them from parents is anything but “non-adversarial”. Where there is jurisdiction over property, the term “In Rem” is often used. If the court clerk is correct on the style (the name) of this case, it is the first one I consider properly named. Attempting to take one’s animals, one’s property, is most certainly adversarial and the parties should be named. That nonsense naming to hide these cases should STOP.
Now, that “CR” indicates that all 3 cases are logged as criminal cases. “CV” is generally used for civil cases. How interesting!
Have you ever called the courthouse to get information on a case? The SOP is the clerk simply answers the questions but something changes in high profile cases. Suddenly the clerks turn on their ultra polite voice, develop manners, and then ask “who am I speaking with?” There are several very good answers for this: none of your business, a citizen, a resident of this state, a member of the public, or ask why they want o know. The information is PUBLIC. This is a clerk’s attempt to intimidate. Stand up to them as they are there to provide a public service and it really is NONE of their business who wants that information.
Oh, and, if you feel particularly paranoid about calling court clerks and lawyers, learn how to block your caller ID. None of these dweeby court offices have any special call tracking equipment.