Justice For Our Neighbors provides affordable legal services to low-income people, including victims of human trafficking, domestic violence, and political persecution. They also organize regular events to educate the community on immigration issues. Every day, police officers have to make split-second decisions that can have long-term effects. These decisions can still be reviewed by others inside and outside the police service. No previous law enforcement experience is required. After your employment, you will attend our 6-month paid police academy and receive your peace officer licence. You will receive specialized training from some of the best law enforcement officials. The Tahirih Justice Center provides free legal advice to migrant women and girls fleeing violence in the greater Houston and Galveston areas. They have staff who deal with issues such as asylum for women, T visas, U visas, and special juvenile immigrant status. The Houston Police Department is recruiting qualified police candidates for our upcoming academy courses. As the fifth largest organization in the country, HPD sets the bar for professionalism, innovation and a progressive approach to relationship policing.
Our diverse workforce of more than 5,400 officers and 892 civilian auxiliaries is a group of dedicated and enthusiastic professionals who proudly serve more than 2 million Houston residents. We hope you never need these services, but if you do, it`s reassuring to know that you`re represented and advocated for by all legal resources. As a result, police officers may be subject to enforcement, litigation and discipline arising from the performance of their law enforcement and public safety duties. Public servants subject to these reviews deserve competent and responsive legal representation. Mr. Downey was born in Canton, Massachusetts. He attended Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, Massachusetts. He received his bachelor`s degree from Duke University and his law degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. During his law studies, Mr. Downey was selected to be part of a select group of students who participated in national events as a member of the American Trial Lawyer`s Association (ATLA) Moot Court Team. He earned his law degree in 1993 and was among a very limited group of candidates hired by the Trial Division of the Harris County District Attorney`s Office in Houston, Texas, prior to graduation.
Mr. Downey served as a prosecutor with the District Attorney`s Office until December 1998. It is licensed throughout the state of Texas and in the federal courts of the Southern District of Texas. Mr. Downey is certified in criminal law by the Texas Board of Specialty. While serving as District Attorney for Harris County, Mr. Downey held various positions with the U.S. Attorney`s Office and served as lead counsel in more than 60 jury trials. He was chosen to be responsible as chief prosecutor of two criminal courts, including the newly created District Criminal Court with Law No. 15.
During his tenure, Mr. Downey was granted the status of Deputy Chief Prosecutor and was responsible for prosecuting various crimes, including murder and other first-degree crimes. During his final year in the Attorney General`s Office, Mr. Downey was selected to join the Civil Rights Division, where he focused his efforts on investigating and prosecuting law enforcement officials accused of civil rights violations. He was a member of the Harris County District Attorney`s Investigation Team, which was tasked with investigating all shootings in Harris County in which a citizen was injured. As prosecutor, Mr. Downey has worked closely with members of numerous law enforcement agencies, including the Houston Police Department, Harris County Sheriff`s Department, Texas Rangers, DEA, FBI, ATF, Secret Service, Department of Internal Affairs, and Department of Justice. In December 1998, Mr.
Downey left the Public Prosecutor`s Office to start his own business. In June 2002, Mr. Downey founded The Downey Law Firm at its current location at 2814 Hamilton Street in downtown Houston. He devotes most of his practice to representing individual citizens and corporations accused of state and federal crimes. His firm has other lawyers who assist clients in a variety of other matters, including, but not limited to, family law, personal injury law and general litigation. M. Downey conducts all criminal proceedings with the aim of having all charges dismissed. He educates all his clients on the nature of the charges they face and the legal consequences of the possible outcomes. Mr. Downey has successfully defended citizens charged with a wide range of charges, including virtually all forms of felony and misdemeanor. Over the years, Mr. Downey has developed strong working relationships with judges, prosecutors, law enforcement and other members of the Defence Chamber.
He works hard to maintain a reputation in the community as an energetic lawyer for his clients and an aggressive litigator. Mr. Downey is a former member of the Texas District and County Attorney`s Association. He is a member of the Criminal Justice Section of the Texas State Bar as well as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL), the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer`s Association (TCDLA), and the Harris County Criminal Lawyer`s Association (HCCLA). In addition, Mr. Downey has appeared as a legal commentator in criminal cases for MSNBC, The Abrams Report, Court TV and The Catherine Crier Show. The Immigrant Rights Helpline is a timely and accurate source of information on immigration policy developments, a place where discrimination and racial profiling can be reported, and a source of referrals to legal service providers and immigrant rights organizers. The helpline is staffed by nonprofit staff and accredited DOJ representatives. Callers can get help Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
(except holidays). KIND assists unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children who arrive in the United States without parents, including legal representation for unaccompanied children who have been trafficked to the United States, persecuted or abused in their home countries, abandoned, and neglected. For several years, HPOU has provided its members with a highly competent and responsive staff of lawyers. The Office of Legal Services is prepared to represent staff members in a variety of matters, including administrative investigations, complaints, disciplinary appeals, civil proceedings, criminal matters related to public service and advice on labour and job performance issues. In addition, a lawyer is on call 24/7 for emergencies such as shootings and deaths in custody. Victims of human trafficking may end up in the United States without going through proper procedures and may face the prospect of returning to their home countries, where they face further violence and abuse. The following organizations provide free legal advice on immigration matters: Human Rights First helps people who do not have legal advice and cannot afford a lawyer to apply for asylum or other protection-based immigration claims. Mr.
Siscoe is a retired lieutenant with the Houston Police Department. In addition to spending a lot of time on patrol, he also worked as a supervising lawyer for the ministry. His responsibilities included reviewing high-profile IAD investigations, developing ministry policies and procedures, and providing advice to the Chief of Police and Chief of Staff. Houston Volunteer Lawyers provides free civil law services to low-income Harris County individuals by connecting them with pro bono attorneys. In addition to the physical and emotional abuse of trafficking, they often find themselves in an unfamiliar environment where they may suffer more in a legal system they do not understand. There are organizations that can help provide free legal services to victims of human trafficking. Lone Star Legal Aid is a not-for-profit law firm serving low-income and underserved populations who otherwise would not be able to afford a lawyer. As part of its Civil Matters in Criminal Justice project, Lone Star Legal Aid provides free legal services related to post-conviction issues, including record expungement and criminal record sealing requests. They also provide services to survivors of sexual assault. Lone Start Legal Aid regularly hosts events such as the Human Trafficking Bus Tour to educate people about human trafficking. The St.
Frances Cabrini Centre for Immigration Legal Aid helps people who cannot get legal aid. Her clients include victims of human trafficking, separated families and people who fear persecution in their home countries. They also provide access to useful legal and social resources for victims. Denise has been a legal/paralegal assistant with Burt Springer since March 3, 1997 and a PPSC office administrator since September 21, 2004. She is the daughter of retired Sergeant A. T. Cook. Denise Strybos is the first point of contact for all inquiries about member benefits and dues, work-related and disciplinary complaints, assistance with IAD statements, preparation of free will and powers of attorney under the P.L.U.S. legal regime, and general information about our organization. In addition, Denise assists the lawyer in all family, civil and criminal matters for PSC members and referrals by PSC members.
Denise can be reached at (713) 227-COPS or by email at COPSUNION@aol.com Lone Star Legal Aid is a not-for-profit law firm for low-income and underserved populations who otherwise could not afford a lawyer.