The U.S. Supreme Court says it’s okay for states to bar judges from raising their own campaign cash. A lot of judges (and lawyers, too) think that’s a pretty good idea that Texas might want to consider.
Judiciary of Texas
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Guardianship Reform Could Offer New Freedoms
Dawn Carlton is intellectually disabled, but she says she manages fine on her own. The 38-year-old woman is pushing for a series of bills this legislative session to change the way court-appointed guardians are used in Texas.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Gay Marriage Ban on Precarious Legal Ground
Almost a decade after voters overwhelmingly added it to the Texas Constitution, the clock may be running out on the state’s gay marriage ban.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Wealthy Donor Pumps Cash, Consternation Into Bexar County DA Race
Thanks to a wealthy and generous personal injury lawyer, Democrat Nicholas LaHood is mounting a well-funded challenge in his bid to unseat 16-year Republican incumbent Susan Reed as Bexar County district attorney.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Time to Ditch Texas’ Key Man Grand Jury System?
When Texas Gov. Rick Perry was indicted last month for allegedly overstepping his authority, the charges came from a type of grand jury that is not the norm in Austin’s criminal courts: one whose members were chosen at random.
Posted in
Health care
Judge Strikes Down Texas Abortion Regulation
A federal judge on Friday struck down new requirements for Texas abortion facilities — a decision that could have shuttered all but a few abortion clinics in the state. The standards were set to go into effect Monday.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
GOP Lawmakers Make Case for Upholding Same-Sex Marriage Ban
UPDATED: Removing Texas’ same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Judge’s Ruling Goes Against Death Row Inmate Skinner
A district court judge ruled against death row inmate Hank Skinner on Tuesday in the wake of new DNA testing, saying it was “reasonably probable” he would still have been convicted had the evidence been available at trial.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Court Hears Arguments in Online Defamation Case
The Supreme Court of Texas heard arguments Thursday morning in a case that could determine whether Texas courts can force individuals to remove remarks from the internet if they are found to be false or defamatory.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Supreme Court Will Consider Online Defamation Case
The Texas Supreme Court will hear arguments Thursday morning in an online defamation case that could have far-reaching effects on individual freedom to post online.
