The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
The Obama administration's climate change agenda on Monday faced one of its first tests in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard a case brought by Texas and industry leaders against a federal greenhouse gas regulation. Full Story
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The Mexican government's reaction to perceived U.S. pressure to hand over Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera will play into whether the head of the ruthless Sinaloa cartel will be extradited here, U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Austin, said on Sunday. Full Story
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The high-profile capture of Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzmán Loera, the leader of Mexico's ruthless Sinaloa drug cartel, should not stoke immediate fears of unrest on Texas' southern border, analysts said Saturday. Full Story
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Mentoring Moms, a program at the Harris County Jail, teaches inmates who are pregnant or have young children how to find jobs, beat addictions and be better parents. Full Story
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A new Harris County Jail program is helping pregnant inmates and young mothers transition back into society. Its goal is to ensure they learn how to be good mothers and to avoid going back to jail. Full Story
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Gov. Rick Perry's recent remarks about states’ rights and marijuana laws drew national attention, though his staff said they were nothing new. Despite the clamor over the remarks, Texans shouldn't expect marijuana laws to change anytime soon. Full Story
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Since the Corsicana juvenile detention center was founded in 1887 as the Texas Orphan Asylum, the facility's history has followed national trends in juvenile justice issues. Full Story
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At least three members of Texas' highest criminal court will be replaced in the next year, and observers say the unusually high turnover could have a significant effect on the court's decisions. Full Story
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Campaiging in El Paso, GOP gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott on Monday said "third world" corruption is a problem across Texas, not just on the border, and he defended his border security plan. Full Story
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When Bernie Tiede went to trial in 1999 for murdering a wealthy Carthage widow, many in the town wanted the young man to see a light punishment. But 15 years into his life sentence, many now say prison is where he belongs. Full Story
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At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, D-San Antonio, a 2014 candidate for Texas lieutenant governor, talked about where she and state Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth, the Democratic frontrunner for governor, differ on open carry. Full Story
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During a two-day DNA hearing that ended Tuesday, prosecutors argued tests confirmed Hank Skinner’s guilt in a 20-year-old triple murder, but his lawyers said the results raised too many questions to allow him to be executed. Full Story
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After detailing his "Securing Texans" policy at an event in Dallas on Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott answered questions about his plans for border security and other issues. Full Story
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At an event in Dallas on Tuesday, Attorney General and Republican gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott talked about his plans to address border security, human trafficking and domestic violence. Full Story
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Texas in 2013 exonerated more people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes than any other state, according to a new report. Full Story
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Six people were arrested on Monday in front of the Travis County Jail during a civil disobedience protest against a federal immigration program. Full Story
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After a crackdown a few years ago in Laredo, gaming halls are on the rise again. But local officials aren't quite on the same page about whether to enforce the gambling laws or to try to change them. Full Story
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After more than a decade of fighting for DNA tests and two years of analysis on decades-old evidence, a court in Pampa will hear evidence that death row inmate Hank Skinner says should stop his execution. Full Story
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Congressional Republicans unveiled a set of guidelines for comprehensive immigration reform on Thursday, saying immigrants should have a path to legal status only after paying fines and passing background checks. Full Story
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Months after her husband was killed in Mexico, Lorena Acosta finally laid her husband to rest on Monday in West Texas. Acosta hopes to use her personal tragedy to spotlight what she said are deep-seated problems within law enforcement south of the border. Full Story
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