There’s no denying that we need the justice system to take dangerous offenders off the streets and keep them off so that law abiding citizens can lead their lives free of the dangers they pose. Indeed, news reports over the last few years indicate that we probably need the justice system to do more of this more of the time.
We all try to trust the justice system to put appropriate, dedicated individuals into position in the legal system to ensure that this occurs and that miscarriage of justice and abuse of the system does not occur. But what do you do when the very judge you trust to make wise decisions on a case disregards justice for personal ends?
A Troubling Example of a Houston Municipal Judge Gone Wrong
We take as an example s recent disheartening example of a judge who allegedly struck a pedestrian in a parking lot, took a look at the damage she caused, fled the scene, and attempted to erase evidence of her misdeed from her vehicle. Reportedly, Houston part-time associate municipal judge Gladys Toney Bransford, 75, struck pregnant pedestrian Graciela Almuhammadawy in the parking lot of a 99 cent store with her (not 99 cent) black Mercedes. The parking lot was in the 8700 block of Gessner in southwest Houston.
Almuhammadawy says that the Mercedes had been speeding and trying to take a handicapped parking spot when it struck her. Graciela Almuhammadawy said that the driver of the Mercedes exited her vehicle to view the scene, so the victim asked her to call for help. At that point, the driver of the Mercedes re-entered the vehicle and fled the scene. But Almuhammadawy very wisely wrote down the license plate number.
Houston police used this license plate number to locate Gladys Toney Bransford at her residence. The police asked the judge to remove her personal belongings from the vehicle (possibly before securing the vehicle as evidence). An officer allegedly observed defendant Bransford walking towards her black Mercedes and attempting to remove the victim’s handprints (evidence) from her vehicle. Police have secured a remaining palm print form the vehicle as evidence. And pregnant victim Graciela Almuhammadawy was brought by police to the residence to positively identify Bransford as the driver that struck her.
Houston authorities have charged Gladys Toney Bransford with felony counts of failing to stop and render aid and with tampering with evidence. Bransford has been temporarily relieved of her duties as a municipal judge pending the outcome of this criminal complaint. (Source: Robert Stanton, Houston Chronicle, 10/25/12)
The Justice System has its Flaws; When You’re Injured in a Vehicle Accident, Contact the Dedicated Houston Injury Attorneys at Denena & Points for Effective and Professional Legal Help
As the preceding example of a Houston judge gone wrong reveals, justice might not always be on your side. You need dedicated, professional legal help that knows how to conduct thorough accident investigations and effectively navigate complex cases through the court system to ensure that you get your chance for justice in court.
At Denena & Points, Texas Board Certified Houston injury attorneys Tony Denena and Chad Points have been successfully handling the complex claims of injured clients for more than 14 years. We know the intricacies of accident investigation, case preparation, trial presentation, and evidence matters and we will aggressively and effectively pursue your case from start to finish.
Call us today or contact us online through our “Get Help Now” form for your free, no obligation private legal consultation. Let us help you obtain a full financial recovery for the needless injuries you received at the hands of a negligent driver.