In Texas, the tiny number of successful prosecutions leave both victims and lawmakers questioning state’s commitment to punishing hate.
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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Criminal Justice
Sandra Bland’s mother urges House committee to pass bill named after her daughter
The Sandra Bland Act would require law enforcement agencies to document the race and ethnicity of drivers they stop, divert some people to treatment instead of jail and require more training and reporting for county jails and law enforcement officials.
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Criminal Justice
Paxton trial moved to Harris County
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s trial on securities fraud charges was moved Tuesday to Harris County, prompting Paxton to seek a new judge in the case.
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Criminal Justice
“David’s Law” would criminalize cyberbullying, mandate school policies
A Texas senator wants to criminalize cyberbullying when it leads to a minor’s serious injury or suicide. Critics of the bill say prevention is more effective than punishment.
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Criminal Justice
Texas court halts execution of man amid claims of false evidence
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halted the execution of Paul Storey Friday afternoon, which was set for next Wednesday.
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Criminal Justice
Cornyn, Cruz part of Senate vote confirming Gorsuch to Supreme Court
The U.S. Senate confirmed Judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday morning.
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Criminal Justice
Cornyn, Cruz join Senate GOP in ending filibuster on Trump’s Supreme Court nominee
A senator’s ability to filibuster a U.S. Supreme Court nominee ended on Thursday.
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Criminal Justice
House committee backs banning most sex offenders from living on college campuses
Most registered sex offenders would be barred from living on college campuses under a bill unanimously approved by a House committee Wednesday.
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Criminal Justice
Ruling could mean new execution date for man convicted in prison guard’s murder
A death row inmate convicted in a Texas prison guard’s murder lost another appeal Wednesday at the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
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Criminal Justice
Texas House backs crowdfunding measure to test more rape kits
A bill that would crowdfund money from Texans to deal with a state backlog of thousands of untested rape kits tentatively passed the Texas House Wednesday on a voice vote.
