The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
A former high-ranking official with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas was found not guilty Tuesday by a 12-member jury in Austin. He had been accused of deceiving colleagues in order to secure an $11 million grant for a biotechnology firm. Full Story
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The denial of birth certificates to U.S. citizen children born to immigrant parents not only jeopardizes their dignity and well-being, but could threaten the unique relationship between Mexico and Texas, the Mexican government said in a brief filed Monday. Full Story
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Starting Sept. 1, a new law will ban 1,000 possible chemical compounds of synthetic marijuana and make it a lot harder for Texans to buy or sell the drug. This animation is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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Baylor University's lawyers reportedly were in the courtroom during most of football player Sam Ukwuachu's rape trial last week. Now that he's been convicted, the school faces the possibility of lawsuits and federal scrutiny. Full Story
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Texas has joined about two dozen states in passing a law taking aim at "revenge porn," which refers to sexually explicit images of individuals posted online without their consent. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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In the Roundup: Attorney General Ken Paxton is re-indicted on securities fraud charges, an interim legislative committee will look at jail safety and a post from the agriculture commissioner’s campaign Facebook page blows up social media. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety will receive hundreds of millions of dollars to bolster its ranks along the Rio Grande, adding 250 new troopers and support staff. Local law enforcement agencies fear higher state salaries will lure away their employees. Full Story
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After re-filing indictments against Attorney General Ken Paxton in his securities fraud case, two special prosecutors are pushing back against criticism from Paxton's attorney, who says Tuesday's action raises questions about the case. Full Story
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Lawyers for former Gov. Rick Perry are asking the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to throw out the remaining count in the indictment against him. Full Story
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A second jailhouse informant claims he was offered a secret deal to testify in a death penalty case by former Navarro County prosecutor John Jackson, who has been accused of similar misconduct in the conviction and execution of Cameron Todd Willingham. Full Story
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A Travis County prosecutor on Tuesday asked a jury to convict Jerry Cobbs, a former high-ranking official with the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, of securing an $11 million grant for a biotechnology firm “by fraud.” Full Story
A new state law adds freestanding emergency centers to the list of places a person can legally abandon a newborn and avoid prosecution. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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A man arrested in Iowa who is suspected of setting fire to a car last week at the Texas Capitol is expected to appear before a judge on Friday. Full Story
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A new law that goes into effect Sept. 1 will allow Texans to receive a cash refund on gift cards or certificates that have a balance of less than $2.50. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series. Full Story
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A man arrested in Iowa is suspected of setting fire to a car last week at the Capitol, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced Thursday evening. Full Story
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In the time it has taken the state and federal governments to hold a Koch Industries affiliate responsible for a South Texas oil spill, 17 different quarterbacks started games for the Dallas Cowboys. Full Story
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A state district judge who denied a request to keep six siblings — recently murdered in Houston — in foster care says he wasn’t provided enough evidence two years ago to keep the children removed from their family. Full Story
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The Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney is planning to get involved in the pending indictment against former Gov. Rick Perry on abuse-of-power charges. Full Story
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Less than a year after he first took office, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending himself against felony charges while a quiet procession of candidates comes under unofficial consideration to succeed him. Full Story
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Nearly two years before the murder of six Houston siblings, a state district judge denied a request by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services to keep them in foster care, according to a memo sent to members of the Legislature on Tuesday. Full Story