The Sandra Bland Act would address race, poverty, mental health and accountability in law enforcement and corrections, its author says.
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
Ahead of Thursday hearing, Texas Senate adds muscle to anti-sanctuary city bill
Senate Republicans have updated their bill banning sanctuary cities in Texas to cover college campuses and expand potential punishments for local entities that choose to not enforce immigration laws.
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Criminal Justice
Legislature should prioritize judicial security, Texas Supreme Court chief justice says
In his State of the Judiciary address Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht discussed bail reform, the cost of legal expenses, mental health issues and a host of other topics.
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Criminal Justice
In “sanctuary” fight, Abbott cuts off funding to Travis County
Gov. Greg Abbott has followed through on his threat to cut off state funding for Travis County over its new “sanctuary” policy.
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Criminal Justice
Texas lawmakers aim to eliminate death penalty for convicts who didn’t kill
At least two Texas Democrats and one Republican are pushing to reform the death penalty under the law of parties, which holds those involved in a murder equally responsible, even if they weren’t directly involved in the actual killing.
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Criminal Justice
Trump picks Gorsuch for U.S. Supreme Court, bypassing Willett
President Donald Trump on Tuesday named U.S. appeals court judge Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court, picking him from a list of candidates that had included Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett.
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Criminal Justice
Execution halted for man convicted in Corpus Christi stabbing death
Two days before death row inmate John Ramirez was scheduled to be executed, a federal district court in Corpus Christi halted the execution.
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Bordering on Insecurity
Border Patrol agent convicted of corruption but not murder
Border Patrol Agent Joel Luna was found guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity, but a Cameron County jury acquitted him of murder.
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Criminal Justice
Juvenile justice advocates look to raise age of criminal responsibility to 18
Seventeen-year-olds can’t vote, join the military or buy cigarettes or alcohol, but they’re treated as adults in criminal cases in Texas. About 200 people rallied at the Capitol on Monday to change that.
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Criminal Justice
Trump says Lockheed Martin has cut $600 million from F-35 program
President Trump said Monday that Lockheed Martin has cut $600 million from its next lot of 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter planes, capping weeks of public criticisms of the program’s cost.
