The state has given Travis County nearly $2 million to reform its indigent defense system. But a handful of Austin-area lawyers are still taking on far more cases than experts believe anyone could handle.
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.
Posted in
Politics
At confirmation hearing, federal judicial nominee defends impartiality
Andrew Oldham, a nominee for an influential federal appeals court, asserted during a U.S. Senate committee hearing Wednesday that the positions he took on behalf of Texas would not influence his work as a judge.
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Politics
Federal judge says Trump administration must allow new DACA applications
U.S. District Judge John D. Bates ruled Tuesday that the administration’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program was never fully explained and could not be justified. However, Bates did allow for a 90-day hold on his ruling “to afford [the Department of Homeland Security] an opportunity to better explain its view that DACA is unlawful.”
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State Government
Texas redistricting case’s oral arguments at U.S. Supreme Court focus on jurisdiction debate
As the U.S. Supreme Court took up Texas’ redistricting case, several justices questioned whether they even had the authority to pick up where a lower court left off.
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Graphics and data reporting
How a fluke win diminished the political clout of Hispanic voters in this Texas congressional district
Two congressional districts are part of a Texas redistricting case the U.S. Supreme Court will take up Tuesday. Here’s a detailed look at what’s at issue in one of them: the 27th Congressional District.
Posted inCourts, Demographics, Politics, State Government
Puzzling shapes: Travel across this gerrymandered Texas district
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday in a Texas redistricting case that has flagged two congressional districts and nine Texas House districts. Here’s a closer look at one of the districts in question: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett’s curiously shaped 35th Congressional District.
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Politics
Attorney General Ken Paxton sides with restaurants, retailers on enforcement of “Barbecue Bill”
A nonbinding opinion issued Monday by Attorney General Ken Paxton continues a battle between lawmakers, restaurants and the Texas Department of Agriculture over the regulation of scales used to measure food.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Judge dismisses Dallas Republicans’ lawsuit to kick Democrats off the November ballot
Republicans said the Democratic county chair never signed the candidates’ ballot applications. Democrats called the suit a frivolous partisan attack.
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Courts
State appeals court rules Texas’ “revenge porn” law violates the First Amendment
The Tyler-based 12th Court of Appeals also said the law is overly broad. The case is now likely headed to the state’s highest criminal court.
Posted in
Politics
The next local control fight? Like Uber before, city regulations for AirBnB and HomeAway are in the crosshairs
This time, the fight is happening in the courts after attempts to overturn short-term rental ordinances failed in the Legislature.
