Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a legal opinion Monday supporting a Montgomery County courtroom chaplaincy program — and the use of prayer to open legal proceedings.
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
From Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction to Exoneration (Timeline)
In the 30 years since Christine Morton was murdered, her husband Michael Morton has been wrongfully convicted of killing her and fought for sweeping changes to state law. Look back at his case and the developments since his release.
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Criminal Justice
How Michael Morton’s Wrongful Conviction Has Brought Others Justice
Thirty years ago, a Williamson County murder set in motion a shoddy prosecution that led to the wrongful conviction of Michael Morton. It’s a miscarriage in justice that’s still felt in the state’s criminal cases.
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Criminal Justice
Judge Doesn’t Rule in Texas’ Lawsuit Over Transgender Protections
In the first hearing over a Texas-led lawsuit against the federal government, state attorneys argued that the Obama administration’s guidelines to accommodate transgender students unconstitutionally “hold a gun to the head” of states and school districts.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Seeks Temporary Block of Rules for Transgender Students
The legal distinction between gender identity and sex will be central as Texas on Friday tries to block the Obama administration’s order that public schools accommodate transgender students.
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Criminal Justice
Prison Guard’s Convicted Killer Wins Another Execution Stay
Robert Lynn Pruett, convicted in the 1999 stabbing death of a state correctional officer, has won another stay of execution from a Court of Criminal Appeals judge. His lethal injection was set for August 23.
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Criminal Justice
Congressional Panel Extends Review of Roger Williams Ethics Case
Congressional ethics investigators have decided to take a further look at U.S. Rep. Roger Williams, R-Austin, over a legislative amendment he pushed that allegedly benefited his car dealership.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Prepares to Execute A Man Who Killed No One
Jeff Wood was outside in a pickup when his partner killed a Kerrville convenience store clerk in 1996, but he was sentenced to death under Texas’ felony murder statute, commonly known as the law of parties.
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Criminal Justice
Texas Capitol Entrance Open: Keep Calm and Carry On, Y’all
The main entrance to the Texas Capitol is open and bustling again, a few weeks after the state Department of Public Safety temporarily closed it citing security concerns.
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Criminal Justice
Family of “Clock Boy” Ahmed Mohamed Files Lawsuit Against Former School
Nearly one year after 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed was arrested for bringing a “suspicious-looking” homemade clock to class, his family has filed suit against his former school district, the principal of the high school and the city of Irving.
