Lawmakers say they want transparency and that the public should be able to see their finances. But state requirements allow officeholders to report their financial interests vaguely enough to hide conflicts.
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
TABC Changes What it Means to Be a Beer
For years, beers sold in Texas have had to have special labels if they contained a certain amount of alcohol. After a rule change finalized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission last month, brewers can now just call a beer a beer.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Updated: Supreme Court Denies Stay of Execution for Marvin Wilson
The U.S. Supreme Court declined a request to stay the execution of Marvin Wilson scheduled for this evening. Wilson’s lawyers argue that he is mentally disabled and should be exempted from the death penalty.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Surprise Inspections of Juvenile Facilities Reveal Areas for Improvement
Last month, inspectors conducted surprise safety and security reviews at the state’s secure juvenile facilities. Among the findings: lax security procedures and problems with documentation.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Death Row Inmate’s Sentence Reduced to Life
Delma Banks Jr., one of Texas death row’s longest residents, on Wednesday agreed to a life sentence for the 1980 murder of Richard Whitehead. He will be eligible for parole in 12 years.
Posted in
Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: Answering Aurora
In the wake of the movie theater killings in Aurora, Colorado, we asked the insiders what the legislative response — if any — ought to be.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
A Tragic Accident and a Continuing Legal Battle
Michelle Gaines is unlikely to ever live on her own after an auto accident. A jury awarded her $8 million in damages, but the decision was overturned. Her lawyers argue that if her appeal isn’t heard, it would set a troubling precedent.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Local Court Race Tests Judicial Campaign Law
A runoff for the state district court in Marshall, just east of Longview near the Louisiana border, has two Republicans slinging lawsuits and ethics complaints over provisions of the Judicial Campaign Fairness Act.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
TJJD Doing Blanket Review of Youths in Detention Centers
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is undergoing a review of all youths in its system to better assess security threats, but advocates worry it will become a tool to recommend more youths for imprisonment in adult facilities.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Updated: Williamson County Makes Arrest in 1980 Murder Case
Williamson County officials have arrested a 53-year-old former Garland resident in the 1980 murder of Mildred McKinney. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office says it identified the DNA and a fingerprint of Steven Alan Thomas at the crime scene.