Analysis: A Texas Judge Takes Voter ID to Court
The only Democrat in an elected statewide post in Texas is suing to upend the state’s photo voter ID law, saying it’s an unconstitutional obstacle to a legal activity: voting. Full Story
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![Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Larry Meyers is shown in his office in 2013.]()
Credit: Rodger Mallison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram -
Incumbents Holding Supreme Court Seats, Criminal Court Runoffs Likely
Lawyers arguing in front of the Texas Supreme Court next year likely won’t need to memorize any new faces. All three Republican incumbents running for reelection are winning their primary races. Full Story
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Court of Criminal Appeals Candidates Emphasize Experience
Although the Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest criminal court in the state — and it deals with a number of hot-button issues including the death penalty — its nine judges don’t attract much attention. That can make campaigning for a seat on the court difficult. Full Story
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![Democrat Lawrence "Larry" Meyers (top left) will face the winner of the Republican primary for Court of Criminal Appeals Place 2. The GOP candidates are Mary Lou Keel (top right), Chris Oldner (bottom left) and Ray Wheless (bottom right).]()
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Court Clears Way for New Trial in Toddler's Death
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday stuck to an earlier decision granting relief to a Montgomery County man convicted of murder. Full Story
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Texas Conducts First Execution of the Year
Richard Masterson, who was convicted and sentenced to death for a 2001 strangulation and murder in Harris County, was executed Wednesday night. Full Story
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2015 Tribune Festival: Audio From the Justice Track
The Justice track at the 2015 Texas Tribune Festival featured panel discussions on criminal justice reform, the Legislature, open carry, and gay rights and states' rights. There was also a conversation with several Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judges. Full Story
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Court of Criminal Appeals: Flag Desecration Ban Violates Constitution
The state's highest criminal court ruled Wednesday that a Texas law banning defacement of the U.S.and state flags is unconstitutional. Full Story
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New Crime Lab Protocol Leads to Reviews of "Mixed DNA" Evidence
A new standard, used by crime labs in Texas and nationwide when analyzing multiple sets of DNA taken from evidence, has prompted questions and a review of court cases dating back to 1999. Full Story
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Court's Ban of Death Penalty Lawyer Will Stand
The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled it has no authority or jurisdiction to intervene in its sister court's ban of prominent death penalty lawyer David Dow. Full Story
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![Attorney David Dow.]()
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Texas Legislators Move Closer to Overhauling State's Grand Jury System
The Texas House on Sunday gave final approval to an overhaul of the state's grand juries, moving one step closer to getting rid of a controversial way of seating the panels. Full Story
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Abbott Signs Online Solicitation Measure Into Law
Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday signed into law a measure that makes online solicitation of a minor a punishable offense and changes the definition of a minor, calling it "regrettable that this bill is necessary." Full Story
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![Gov. Greg Abbott at the Texas State Prayer Breakfast in Austin on May 4, 2015.]()
Credit: Bob Daemmrich -
House Gives Early OK to Expanding DNA Testing
The Texas House on Monday gave early approval to expanding DNA testing in criminal cases, an effort to prevent the incarceration of innocent Texans like Michael Morton, who spent nearly 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Full Story
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The Playlist: Cruise Control
With a late night tweet, U.S. Sen Ted Cruz announced his candidacy for president then immediately hit the road, so we start our playlist with “Cruise Control” by the Dixie Dregs. Full Story
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Lawyer's One-Year Banishment Leads to Showdown
When the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals banished a prominent death row attorney this year, it set in motion an interesting showdown not only with the lawyer, David Dow, but one with its own glossier sibling, the Texas Supreme Court. Full Story
![Attorney David Dow.]()
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Court Suspends Lawyer for Death Row Inmate Over Late Filing
The Court of Criminal Appeals has suspended a criminal defense lawyer, arguing that he filed motions to stop executions too late. The move is part of a ongoing feud in Texas between such lawyers and judges who rule on their claims. Full Story
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![Texas Death Row inmate Miguel Angel Paredes.]()
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Ushering in Several Reforms, But Not Always Leading the Charge
Rick Perry will leave behind a criminal justice system in healthier shape than when he stepped in as governor. Terri Langford writes that how instrumental Perry was in improving it remains an open question. Full Story
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CCA Offers Guidance to Courts Trying Teens as Adults
The state's highest criminal court on Wednesday ruled that a Houston teen should not have been tried as an adult and spelled out better guidance for courts to consider before transferring youth defendants into the adult court system. Full Story
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![Detainees are moved from location to location within the Travis County Juvenile Detention Center in Austin, Texas, Monday, June 24, 2013.]()
Credit: Jennifer Whitney for The Texas Tribune -
Video: Looking to Avoid Confusion Over Voter ID Shuffle
Texas' voter ID law is in effect for the Nov. 4 general election. Election workers are working to help ensure there is no confusion as voters head to the polls. Full Story
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Criminal Appeals Court Judge Sues State Over Voter ID Law
While a federal judge in Corpus Christi mulls whether the state's requirement to show photo ID to cast a ballot violates the Voting Rights Act, a judge on the highest criminal appeals court in Texas has sued the state over its voter ID law. Full Story
![Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Larry Meyers is shown in his office in 2013.]()
Credit: Rodger Mallison / Fort Worth Star-Telegram -
Death Row Inmate Trottie Executed for 1993 Murders
UPDATED: Texas death row inmate Willie Tyrone Trottie was executed by lethal injection Wednesday evening in Huntsville for the 1993 murders of his ex-girlfriend and her brother. Full Story
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![Texas death row inmate Willie Trottie, scheduled for execution Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2014.]()
Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice
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