The criminal court decides death penalty case appeals and rules on petitions for those who believe they’ve been wrongfully detained. Here’s a look at who’s running for the court’s three seats on the 2026 ballot.
Courts
Stay up to date on Texas courts with in-depth coverage of major rulings, judicial elections, criminal justice, and the judges shaping state law from The Texas Tribune.
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2026 Texas Elections
“Rule follower”: In GOP primary, Joan Huffman promises to bring law and order to the attorney general’s office
Huffman is running on her criminal prosecution experience and allegiance to the rule of law, cutting a contrast with her opponents who are emphasizing a continuation of Paxton’s culture war battles.
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Health care
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sues Snapchat over accusations of inappropriate content and addictiveness
The lawsuit against the multimedia messaging app’s company is just one in a series of actions that the state has taken against social media companies.
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Courts
Houston-area developer Colony Ridge reaches $68 million settlement with Texas, feds
The agreement seeks to remedy a variety of concerns raised by government officials, who accused the development’s owners of targeting Latino homebuyers with predatory loans and false promises.
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Investigations
Immigrants challenging their detention have hit a historic high. Here’s a look at the increase.
ProPublica is tracking the historic rise in challenges filed by immigrants claiming their detention is illegal.
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Investigations
Texas court district leads U.S. in immigrants challenging legality of federal detention
The administration’s push for mass deportations has resulted in more than 18,000 habeas petitions, a historic high. Texas and California account for about 40% of cases this year.
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Environment
Attorney general sues Bastrop factory after residents complain about noxious odors
The state’s environmental regulator has issued multiple environmental violations and the lawsuit states the company has failed to fix the problems.
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Hill Country floods
Family of still-missing camper sues to shut down Camp Mystic
The lawsuit by Catherine and Will Steward, parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward, argues the family who owns and operates the camp should “never be responsible for children again.”
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Courts
Attorney General Ken Paxton asks judge to shut down Muslim advocacy group CAIR
This is the latest in a deluge of investigations and litigation against Muslim groups in Texas.
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State Government
Texas law barring state investment in firms boycotting fossil fuels declared unconstitutional
A judge ruled Senate Bill 13, passed in 2021, violated the First and Fourteenth Amendments. The law prevented state investments in firms it deemed as boycotting oil and gas companies.