Legal Question in Criminal Law in Texas

Grand jury summons for animal cruelty

A friend of mine runs a small, non-profit animal shelter with 501c3 status. Earlier this year, she ''fired'' a group of volunteers who would not follow adoption protocol and kept over $2K in adoption fees. Today she was shocked to receive a Grand Jury summons with the charge ''cruelty to animals''.

Both the city's Animal Control and SPCA have visited the shelter during the last 12 months because of anonymous complaints that were judged unfounded. So we have no idea how someone could convince a District Attorney to take this to the Grand Jury. Where could they obtain sufficient evidence?

We strongly suspect that several of the ex-volunteers (who started their own 501c3 rescue group earlier this year) are behind the charges, as they had told quite a few other animal rescuers that they were going to have my friend ''thrown in jail for cruelty''. But we are at a loss how someone with a personal vendetta could turn this into a felony charge. Any suggestions how these charges eventuated? (Yes, she will be hiring an attorney.)


Asked on 10/19/05, 7:01 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
TC Langford Langford Law Office

Re: Grand jury summons for animal cruelty

When is the summons set? She needs an attorney immediately. Are you sure that she is being investigated as a target, or as a witness? If she the target, she cannot get to an attorney's office fast enough. In a situation such as this, it is critical to address the grand jury with a properly prepared case to avoid it going to indictment. TCL

Read more
Answered on 10/20/05, 12:27 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Criminal Law questions and answers in Texas