Texas Courts & Criminal Justice: Latest News and Updates

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Corrections and Clarifications

Our reporting on all platforms will be truthful, transparent and respectful; our facts will be accurate, complete and fairly presented. When we make a mistake — and from time to time, we will — we will work quickly to fully address the error, correcting it within the story, detailing the error on the story page and adding it to this running list of Tribune corrections. If you find an error, email corrections@texastribune.org.

A volunteer and a voter exit and enter the polling location at Westbury Baptist Church during primary election day on March 3, 2026, in Houston.

Politics

Harris County, Texas AG’s office reach agreement on removal of get-out-the-vote ad tags

by Ayden Runnels and Zach Leggio Oct. 29, 2026Oct. 30, 2026

Despite the agreement in which both sides declared victory, the lawsuit the AG filed against the county over the ads is only on pause through Nov. 3.

A mailer purporting to offer guidance to trans and LBGTQ+ students was sent to Texans from an organization formed in Wyoming. The documents cite a Texas trans rights organization that had nothing to do with the pamphlets.

Courts

Texas Supreme Court blocks deposition intended to identify group behind transgender mailers

by Ayden Runnels Oct. 30, 2026

The ruling came 15 minutes before a Wyoming-registered group was scheduled to answer questions in a deposition ordered by a Travis County judge.

Activists and supporters march from the Bexar County Courthouse to Crockett Park for “March for Us,” San Antonio's third annual celebration of Transgender Day of Visibility, on March 29, 2025 in San Antonio.

Courts

Group behind trans mailers must answer questions under oath, Travis County judge rules

by Ayden Runnels Oct. 28, 2026

The organization, which argued that the order violates its First Amendment right to speak anonymously, will appeal.

Grand Prairie ISD student Ana Mota in the role of Jack in the play “Into the Woods.” The school district canceled a production of "The Little Shop of Horrors," in which Mota was cast as Seymour, the lead character in the play, citing Senate Bill 12, which restricts some forms of performance.

Public Education

High schooler pulled from musical over Texas’ anti-DEI law sues, alleging discrimination

by Jaden Edison Oct. 28, 2026

A female Grand Prairie teen lost the lead role in “Little Shop of Horrors” because the role was male. Administrators cited the state’s ban on diversity, equity and inclusion as the reason.

An officer with Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and other individuals assisting with a repatriation flight to Colombia stand near the aircraft, in Harlingen on Feb. 28, 2024.

Immigration

U.S. Supreme Court leaves in place limits on when deportation cases can be paused

by Uriel J. García Oct. 27, 2026

The court declined to block a settlement between Texas and the Justice Department that effectively restricts when judges can use their discretion in how quickly immigration cases are resolved.

Immigration

Trump administration can hold immigrants in ICE custody without bond, court rules

by Uriel J. García Oct. 23, 2026

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled detained immigrants don’t have a constitutional right to a bond hearing after they enter the country illegally.

Attorney General Ken Paxton, the GOP nominee for U.S. Senate, speaks at the Texas Youth Summit in The Woodlands on Oct. 9, 2026.

Courts

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues ChatGPT-maker OpenAI

by Eleanor Klibanoff Oct. 23, 2026

CEO Sam Altman and ChatGPT are top competitors to Elon Musk, the tech billionaire fueling Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign.

A sign in opposition to border wall construction is hung on a fence on Adan Madrid’s property, which is under threat of border wall construction, in Redford on June 5, 2026.

Courts, Immigration

Trump administration asks Supreme Court to let Big Bend border wall project resume

By Rebecca Santana and Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated PressOct. 21, 2026

The emergency appeal seeks to resume work on the project, which opponents argue is a waste of money due to low illegal immigration in the area and could harm scenic landscapes.