The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
Former state Rep. Aaron Peña says he was "treated like a drug dealer" during a recent traffic stop in the South Texas city of Robstown. A Robstown police spokesman said that officers followed the law during the traffic stop. Full Story
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You may have noticed that one of our more popular databases, the Texas Prison Inmates database, was disabled last week. We want to explain why we did it and when we expect to relaunch the database. Full Story
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On a four-acre garden in Smith County, inmates from the local jail tend crops that provide thousands of pounds of fresh food for the poor in 26 counties. It's one of several programs that put inmates to work for the community. Full Story
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Led by Attorney General Greg Abbott, Texas has fought the federal government for control over various issues, including environmental regulation and oversight of voting laws. Use this interactive to look at the current legal battles. Full Story
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UPDATED: Authorities confirmed Miguel Treviño Morales was captured at 3:45 a.m. local time in the municipality of Anáhuac, Nuevo León, and not in Nuevo Laredo, as originally reported. Full Story
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State Comptroller Susan Combs says her office doesn't have the resources to update a 2006 study of the economic impact of Texas' undocumented immigrant population. Full Story
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In separate instances on Thursday, Texas Department of Public Safety officers came under gunfire from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande and launched tear gas south into the country. Full Story
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Three years after a municipal election was held under the specter of fear and death in this border city, voters on Sunday ushered in a new leader in Ciudad Juárez. But a new administration and a new peace can only go so far. Full Story
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UPDATED: Seventeen-year-olds convicted of capital murder could soon be subject to a mandatory sentence of life with parole eligiblity after 40 years under a bill lawmakers approved on Thursday. Full Story
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Republican leaders in the U.S. House have publicly rejected the U.S. Senate's comprehensive immigration reform bill, calling it a rushed-through measure with too many flaws and not enough security guarantees. Full Story
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As the debate on immigration reform advances, immigration attorneys fear that an emphasis on strict border enforcement will make an already difficult task more strenuous for asylum seekers. Full Story
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Michael Morton’s ubiquitous presence and lobbying spurred lawmakers to tackle criminal justice reforms. But the increased presence of Tea Party Republicans also changed the Legislature’s attitude toward law and order. Full Story
Scottie Forcey is one of 23 convicted Texas murderers who could get the chance to be parole eligible after serving 40 years in prison as legislators work to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Full Story
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In an opinion issued this week, Attorney General Greg Abbott says the state is under no legal obligation to help cover any potential shortfall faced by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Full Story
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The Senate could vote as early as next week on transportation funding and criminal justice measures that died in the first special session. Those measures were quickly approved Tuesday by two Senate committees. Full Story
A new law allowing Travis County to commit juvenile offenders to local detention facilities instead of large state institutions could set the stage for the next steps in reforming Texas’ juvenile justice system. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed its version of the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would pave the way for citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the country. Full Story
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Wednesday's execution of Kimberly McCarthy for the 1997 stabbing death of her neighbor will mark Texas' 500th execution since 1976 and the 261st during Gov. Rick Perry's tenure. Use our interactive to view information on each execution under Perry. Full Story
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Texans is waiting to find out whether its voter ID law and its redistricting maps will be affected by a Supreme Court ruling on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. But another ruling in an Arizona case could come into play. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate is scheduled to cast key votes on Monday on immigration reform, including action on a border-enforcement amendment that many say is the glue holding the compromise together. Texas' two senators oppose the compromise measure. Full Story
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