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"This is nothing but damage control which they (city officials) are going to try and use in later court cases," Kallinen said. "(Arrest records) are evidence of their own wrongdoing. They are trying to reduce future claims."

Lawyers piss me off.

If the arrest record is expunged, no arrest ever took place. To show that the police acted illegally, those arrested illegally must be able to show that the arrest did take place. Otherwise, there are no charges that may be filed against the Houston Police Dept. At least, that's my understanding.

I have the same feelings about lawyers as you but in this case those who were arrested in the K-Mart raid should all get legal help and sue each and every officer involved in the arrest. The senior officers knew that they were acting illegally and the regular officers should have known that they can't arrest people unless they have reason to suspect them of committing a crime. "Just following orders" is not an acceptable excuse.

Our District Attorney, as his predecessor, has a habit of fumbling the ball on law officer prosecutions. If they go to trial the prosecutors often put on witnesses who damage their own case so the officer gets off. Happens all too often.