Unlike yesterday's blog post about an obnoxious attorney ordered to write a paper on civility for remarks made in poor taste, today's post has to do with lawyers making a positive difference in the lives of people wrongful accused of crimes.

Last week and for the 18th time in approximately seven years, an innocent man cleared by DNA testing reportedly has been released from prison by one Texas county.  After serving 27 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, 55-year-old James Woodard walked out of a Dallas courtroom yesterday, a free man.

Woodard could have been released earlier, if he admitted his "guilt" in the rape-murder to the state parole board. But he refused to do so. "It says a lot about your character that you were more interested in the truth than your freedom," state District Judge Mark Stoltz told Woodard as he ordered his release.