The HBA Criminal Law and Procedure Section Furthering the Objectives
of the HBA Within the Field of Criminal Law

By Alex G. Azzo

The Criminal Law and Procedure Section (CLPS) exists to promote the objectives of the Houston Bar Association within the field of criminal law. Members of the CLPS include judges, defense attorneys and prosecutors. This unique combination of participants fosters the sharing of ideas to improve the field of criminal law. The diverse membership of the CLPS necessarily precludes the section from sponsoring activities solely for the benefit of the prosecution, defense or judiciary.
The section currently has 196 members and is governed by a council which meets once a month. The council consists of 16 members, including four officers, and reflects the section’s diverse membership of defense attorneys, prosecutors and the judges.
The section, and its dedicated members, expended tremendous effort successfully advocating that the Harris County Commissioner’s Court set aside a meeting space for use by criminal defense attorneys, prosecutors or judges in the design and building of the Criminal Justice Center. Upon completion of the new criminal courthouse, located at 1201 Franklin, a portion of the 7th floor was indeed designated as a meeting space for both general and specific use. But the section’s support didn’t stop there. CLPS again stepped up to the plate, raising over $60,000.00 to furnish the much needed space.  The meeting space has proven to be invaluable for those whose practice takes them to the Criminal Justice Center.
In addition to use by individual practitioners, prosecutors and judges, the 7th floor meeting area, with a common area as well as several conference rooms, provides a venue for seminars and continuing legal education sessions every month. 
In addition to sponsoring free CLE sessions, CLPS continues to take part in various public service events as well as continuing its annual financial contributions to charitable organizations. For example, the section has for the past several years provided financial support to “Do the Write Thing,” a local and national writing competition for middle school students. During this fiscal year, CLPS will also show its support for the Habitat for Humanity program by making both a financial contribution and a commitment to provide volunteers to participate in a specific construction project. Finally, the section remains committed, now and in the future, to providing volunteers for the Houston Bar Association’s LegalLine program.
The Criminal Law and Procedure Section not only provides for the educational and practical needs of its own membership, but it also demonstrates an ongoing commitment toward the betterment of our community as a whole.
Yearly dues for the HBA Criminal Law and Procedure Section are currently $10, although an increase has been approved for the 2006-2007 bar year. For more information on the section, visit our Web page on the HBA Web site, www.hba.org, and click on Sections. Or, feel free to email me at azzoazzo@aol.com.

Alex Azzo is the 2005-2006 chair of the HBA Criminal Law and Procedure Section and a member of The Houston Lawyer editorial board.

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