Just Doing What Comes Naturally

There’s a blog about life at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center by an anonymously prosecutor.  I haven’t had much call to read it, or write about it, because Harris County is better known as Houston, Texas.  Since my practice doesn’t have a whole lot to do with Houston, and there’s so much going on in the world, it hasn’t really made my radar.   Until now.

The anonymous prosecutor (who calls himself “AHCL” for A Harris County Lawyer)  writes about his best friend from high school, the “tough guy” who was the cool bad boy of the class.  Even bad boys grow up, of course, and AHCL’s friend showed up one day as the office. 

AHCL provides the narrative of the conversation, but long story short, his dear old friend was now facially psychotic and delusional, and sought out AHCL because he truly needed help and had nowhere else to turn.


It’s a strange feeling to sit there across from someone that you used to know like a brother and see that the person he used to be is no longer there. His mind rotted away for whatever reason, whether it be hard core drug use, or just genetics.

It’s a painful feeling. It’s a hopeless feeling. It’s a feeling that I wasn’t equipped to deal with in any productive way.

So I quickly thought about who I knew that could possibly help me with the situation. Who would be sympathetic, understanding, and helpful.

I thought about it for about ten seconds.

And then I called Mark Bennett.

AHCL had plenty of options available to him, both official and unofficial.  But this was someone he cared about and truly wanted to help.  He turned to Houston criminal defense lawyer Mark Bennett.  Nothing speaks louder about the Texas Tornado than this.


Mark answered the phone in the hushed tone that told me he’d been in a courtroom when I called. I asked him if he was in the CJC at the moment, and when he said that he was, I told him I needed his help.

He was there in under five minutes.  I introduced him to Jim, and Mark took over from there.

Mark then spoke with the fellow, helped him to understand that he needed help and found help for him.  AHCL was impressed, both with how adeptly Mark handled everything and how Mark had picked up the pieces in a situation where AHCL was unprepared to provide the help his friend needed.


My dad once told me that the highest compliment that one man can give to another is to call him a “good man”.

Mark Bennett and I have disagreed over many topics. He’s been blasted on his opinions by me and numerous prosecutors on this blog, and on his own.

But folks, let me tell you something.  Mark Bennett is a good man.

Yes, he is.  This is what Mark Bennett, criminal defense lawyer, does.  He helps people.  Mark didn’t do it because the call came from AHCL, or to show off his skills.  It was just what came naturally to Mark Bennett.  Helping others in need and doing it well.

If you ever have a problem in Houston, you should give Mark Bennett a call.  He is a good man.