Under the bill, any crime against either group that results in serious bodily injury would be a first-degree felony, which carries a sentence of up to 99 years or life in prison.
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
Lawmakers say Driver Responsibility Program repeal unlikely this session
A measure to repeal the widely unpopular program made it out of the House but died before hitting the Senate floor.
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Criminal Justice
Abbott signs crackdown on inappropriate student-teacher relationships
The bill Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law on Thursday requires principals and superintendents to report cases of teachers having inappropriate relationships with students or face a state jail felony or a fine of up to $10,000.
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Criminal Justice
Another top TABC honcho departing amid controversy
Steven Weinberg abruptly quit this week as commissioner of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which has been roiled by reports of extravagant spending, mismanagement and heavy-handed regulation.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Paxton, prosecutors tangle over court’s jurisdiction to oust judge
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s months-long effort to remove the judge in his securities fraud case is coming to a head in a Dallas appeals court.
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Criminal Justice
House votes to end jail time for being too poor to pay fines
Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs.
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Criminal Justice
Grieving mom “humbled” and “relieved” after Senate passes autopsy bill
Lara McDaniel was devastated when her 7-year-old son died in an accident. An investigator didn’t allow her to see her child’s body until three days after his death — after an autopsy had been conducted.
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Criminal Justice
Even under Trump, state budget writers deliver big on border security funding
Texas budget writers plan to spend another $800 million for border security over the next two years, matching what lawmakers allocated in 2015.
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Criminal Justice
Senate passes “second chances” bill for nonviolent offenders
The Texas Senate has approved its version of House Bill 3016, which would make it easier for people to apply for jobs if they have low-level offenses on their records. Such applicants would not be required to disclose their offenses.
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Criminal Justice
Texas House advances bill that would outlaw bestiality
The state of Texas on Saturday moved one step closer to joining the large majority of states that consider sexual conduct between humans and animals or fowl a crime.
