Fifteen years ago Judge Charlie Baird was one of the justices on the state’s highest criminal court who reaffirmed Cameron Todd Willingham’s death sentence. On Wednesday, Baird is scheduled to begin a process that could determine whether that conviction and Willingham’s execution were wrong. And the prosecution objects.
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
2010: The Wages of Sin
If the state needs money to balance its budget, it should look first to sin taxes on gambling, alcohol and marijuana.
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Criminal Justice
Audio: TT Interview with Justice Eva Guzman
The Supreme Court Justice on being the first Latina on the court, whether judges should be elected, whether the all-Republican high court is too one-sided and whether Texas has seen enough tort reform.
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Criminal Justice
Eva Guzman: The TT Interview
The Supreme Court justice on being the first Latina on the court, whether the all-Republican high court is too one-sided and whether Texas has seen enough tort reform.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Crime, Guns and Money
When the state’s concealed handgun statute was approved 15 years ago, lawmakers argued it would help citizens defend themselves — but residents of low-income, largely Democratic nieghborhoods aren’t applying for gun permits as often as those in wealthier, more-conservative areas, according to a Texas Tribune/San Antonio Express-News analysis.
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Criminal Justice
An Obama Gun Rush?
In the two years since Barack Obama was elected president, many Texas gun owners — afraid of losing their Second Amendment rights — have stocked up on weapons and ammo. Texans have also sought a record number of concealed handgun licenses. Coincidence?
Posted in
Criminal Justice
A Place to Shoot
In a pattern that’s playing out in San Antonio and other major metro areas in Texas, residents in low-income neighborhoods aren’t taking advantage of the state’s concealed-carry law as often as residents living in wealthier, more conservative areas.
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T-Squared
T-Squared: A Partnership With the Express-News
Coming this Sunday: the latest collaboration between the Trib and one of the state’s venerable newspapers.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
The Weekly TribCast: Episode 48
Our topics this week include the renewed debate over concealed handguns on campus, the advantages of not debating or talking to the press and the hotly contested battle between Congressman Chet Edwards and Republican Bill Flores in CD-17.
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Criminal Justice
TribBlog: Jail Official’s Indictment Dismissed
A judge in Nueces County today dismissed a criminal indictment against Texas Commission on Jail Standards Executive Director Adan Muñoz, who was charged in connection with his release of information about a jailhouse suicide. Open government advocates have called the indictment outrageous.