The ACLU has sued Hidalgo County for jailing an estimated 150 impoverished youths for failure to pay fines racked up on school-related tickets. Such sentences amount to running a “debtor’s prison” and violate the Constitution and Texas law, ACLU attorneys argue.
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
Posted in
State Government
Texas Tough: The Rise of America’s Prison Empire
Texas has long been a “tough on crime” state, but there has been a movement in recent years to change the system known more for its executions than for its rehabilitations. Robert Perkinson talked with Ben Philpott of KUT News and the Tribune about the history of the state’s prison system and the possible changes ahead.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Keller for the Defense
Judge Sharon Keller has been pilloried as the villain of the Texas criminal justice system, but supporters credit the chief of the state’s highest criminal court with working to ensure fair trials for impoverished defendants.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Getting Drunks Off the Road
The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice met today to talk about ways to stop Texans from getting behind the wheel after imbibing. Judges, police and even a third-time DWI offender told lawmakers some Texas drunken driving laws could use some stiffening, while other measures take punishment too far.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson: The TT Interview
After a series of investigative reports revealed serious problems with the quality of legal representation for indigent defendants on Texas death row, lawmakers created the Office of Capital Writs. California lawyer Brad Levenson will be moving to Texas to open the new office and attempt to restore some confidence in the state’s busy system of capital punishment.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson Clip 10
Brad Levenson, newly hired director of the soon-to-be-opened Texas Office of Capital Writs
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson Clip 9
Brad Levenson, newly hired director of the soon-to-be-opened Texas Office of Capital Writs
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson Clip 7
Brad Levenson, newly hired director of the soon-to-be-opened Texas Office of Capital Writs
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson Clip 6
Brad Levenson, newly hired director of the soon-to-be-opened Texas Office of Capital Writs
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Brad Levenson Clip 5
Brad Levenson, newly hired director of the soon-to-be-opened Texas Office of Capital Writs
