As a House bill that would raise the age of criminal responsibility from 17 to 18 languishes in the Senate in the final weeks of the legislative session, the bill’s author promises “a funeral” for Senate bills if his bill dies.
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
Paxton lawyers say judge didn’t have authority for 2017 rulings
Lawyers for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are seeking to void a number of major rulings in the securities fraud case against him, arguing the judge who made them did not have the authority to do so.
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Criminal Justice
Texan on death row will face parole review instead of execution
For the second time in a week, a Texas death row inmate had his sentenced tossed out. Robert Campbell, 44, has been on death row for nearly 25 years in a Houston kidnapping and murder.
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Criminal Justice
Houston Police Chief ready to reluctantly enforce “sanctuary” law
Once Senate Bill 4 goes into effect on Sept. 1, Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo said he’s prepared to lead a police force that allows officers to inquire about the immigration status of people they detain.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
House passes bill on inappropriate teacher-student relationships
The House passed Senate Bill 7, which would penalize principals and superintendents who purposely hide incidents of teachers having sexual or romantic relationships with students.
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Criminal Justice
Abbott: I urged pastors to pressure Texas House over “bathroom bills”
Gov. Greg Abbott confirmed Tuesday in a radio interview that he has urged pastors to pressure the Texas House to advance the so-called bathroom bills that have languished there for weeks.
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Criminal Justice
Bill stripping pensions from felon politicians advances
The Texas House voted Monday to strip government pensions from elected officials who commit serious acts of public corruption, moving the first major piece of ethics reform toward the governor’s office.
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Criminal Justice
Paxton looks to get ahead of legal challenges to “sanctuary cities” ban
Attorney General Ken Paxton is looking to get ahead of an anticipated barrage of legal challenges to Texas’ ban on “sanctuary cities.”
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Criminal Justice
Texas lawmakers: State needs to act after black teen’s death by police
In the aftermath of a police officer killing 15-year-old Jordan Edwards near Dallas, the Texas Legislative Black Caucus called on state leaders to work with legislators on police interactions and accountability.
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Criminal Justice
After police shoot and kill unarmed teen, Texas lawmakers consider next steps
In the aftermath of the fatal shooting of an unarmed 15-year-old by police on Saturday night, Democrats in the state Capitol have pointed to relevant bills they say could prevent similar deaths.
