A member of the “DREAM 34” — a group that marched to the Laredo port of entry to criticize U.S. immigration policies and to seek political asylum — is facing deportation. He says his actions were the right thing to do.
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
Liberal Groups Fault Cornyn, Cruz on Judicial Vacancies
Leaders from state and national liberal organizations on Monday called on U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to increase efforts to fill nine vacant federal judgeships that impact Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Proposed Rules Could Increase Use of Pepper Spray on Youths
County probation chiefs want new authority to use pepper spray, saying proposed rules would provide more local control over how their facilities are operated.
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Criminal Justice
Castro: No Split Among Democrats on Immigration Reform
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said that despite reports that some Democrats are urging their colleagues not to work with Republicans on immigration reform, the party wants to see something pass before the year ends.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Court Orders New Mental Competency Hearing in Death Penalty Case
UPDATED: The Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered a new hearing in the case of Marcus Druery to determine whether he is mentally competent to be executed.
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Criminal Justice
Facility for Mentally Ill Youths in Limbo Amid Legislative Delays
Months after lawmakers cut millions of dollars in funding for the state juvenile justice department and ordered the closure of a detention facility, movement to shutter a Corsicana facility for mentally ill youths remains stalled as state leaders reconsider its demise.
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Criminal Justice
Activist Immigrants Hurt Their Cause, Lawyer Says
A top immigration lawyer says activist immigrants like the DREAM 9 in Arizona betray the cause they champion and can dilute important cases like that of Carlos Gutierrez, who sought asylum in the U.S. after criminal gangs cut his legs off.
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Criminal Justice
Case Shows How Time Affects Pursuit of Justice
A family is fighting to keep jailed the man suspected in their relatives’ deaths, while he pursues a chance to become eligible for parole.
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Criminal Justice
Congressional Hearing Targets Foster Care
Failures in the foster care system put children in Texas and across the nation at greater risk of falling into the sex trade, activists and lawmakers asserted Wednesday on Capitol Hill.
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Criminal Justice
Border Probation Officers See Hope in Reduced Juvenile Offenders
In the Eagle Pass area, the number of juvenile felony cases referred to Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Bruce Ballou has fallen more than 40 percent since 2012. It’s a sign, he says, that his rehabilitative approach is working.
