In opening arguments in the federal criminal case against state Sen. Carlos Uresti, prosecutors alleged that he used his reputation as a public official to lend credibility to a frac-sand company’s Ponzi scheme. But defense attorneys for the San Antonio Democrat claim he was never aware of the company’s criminal activity.
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
Criminal Justice
Poor inmates sue Dallas County over bail system following Harris County ruling
The bail reform fight has made its way to Dallas County, where poor inmates sued officials over the claim that the county’s money bail system discriminates against them.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Rep. Dan Huberty’s primary challenger declared ineligible to run
State Rep. Dan Huberty’s only primary challenger was on Friday declared ineligible to run to represent House District 127. Reginald C. Grant’s name will remain on the ballot.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Nearly a year after FBI raid, Texas Sen. Carlos Uresti heads to trial to face 11 felony charges
State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, a two-decade veteran of the Texas Legislature, is heading to trial in a criminal fraud case.
Posted in
Congress
For Texas DACA recipients, court ruling is a small win — but a bigger fight remains
Texas immigrants and their advocates said they’re pleased that a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction keeping the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program in place. But they said they remain focused on the push in Congress to make the program permanent.
Posted in
Politics
Federal judge says DACA can’t end while lawsuit is pending
A federal judge in California issued a nationwide preliminary injunction Tuesday blocking the Trump administration’s decision to phase out a program that shields young undocumented immigrants from deportation.
Posted in
Texas Elections 2018
Texas House candidate says probation for pipe bomb stems from blowing up tree stumps
Chris Evans, who is challenging state Rep. J.D. Sheffield in the Republican primary, pleaded guilty in 2001 to making a pipe bomb. “Growing up, I blew up tree stumps recreationally,” he told the Tribune.
Posted in
Courts
What to expect in Texas’ voting rights court fights in 2018
The legal battles over the state’s political maps and voter ID requirements will extend into 2018. Here’s what to expect.
Posted in
Politics
Federal board to reconsider asylum request of Mexican reporter and son
A Mexican reporter and his son who were on the verge of deportation earlier this month will be able to appeal their denial of an asylum claim, their lawyer confirmed on Thursday.
Posted in
Politics
O’Rourke, national press association call for Mexican reporter’s release
An effort to free Mexican reporter Emilio Gutiérrez and his son from immigration detention has garnered national attention. And now, a border congressman has also stepped in to advocate for the duo.
