Older inmates sue Texas prison system over coronavirus policies and practices
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice's measures to combat the new coronavirus are insufficient at a geriatric prison, the complaint said. Full Story
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As local officials shrink jail populations due to coronavirus, Abbott blocks release of some inmates who can’t pay bail
Abbott's order bans release without paying bail for inmates who are accused of or have been convicted in the past of violent offenses. Defendants with cash could still walk free. Full Story
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![Inmates on a cell block in the Harris County jail.]()
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TribCast: How coronavirus is affecting Texas workers, immigrants and the courts
On this week's TribCast — a different format in the time of the new coronavirus — Alexa talks to Mitchell, Julián and Jolie about rising unemployment in Texas, the outbreak's effect on immigrants and delayed justice in the court system. Full Story
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![Oasis Eyebrow and Threading in Austin closed its operations following an executive order by Gov. Greg Abbott which limits ...]()
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Texas appeals court lets controversial illegal voting conviction stand
In a rare voting fraud case, Crystal Mason was sentenced to five years in prison for casting a provisional ballot in 2016 while on supervised release for a federal felony. She says she did it on the advice of a poll worker. Full Story
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![Crystal Mason spoke about being accused of voter fraud and her upcoming court case on on Sept. 9 2019 in Fort Worth.]()
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Coronavirus pauses many Texas court proceedings. For some, that means more time in jail.
Courts have slowed across the state, and jury trials are on hold. Defense attorneys worry the outbreak could leave their clients sitting in jail waiting for justice — and vulnerable to catching the virus. Full Story
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![An attorney approaches a Travis County courtroom for bail reduction hearings in Austin.]()
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stops another scheduled execution because of the coronavirus
Tracy Beatty requested the court stay his execution, set for next week, after the court halted this week's execution. Full Story
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![Tracy Beatty's execution was halted because of coronavirus.]()
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Amid coronavirus concerns, Justice Department continues "remain in Mexico" hearings in immigration courts
It was business as usual Monday on the Migrant Protection Protocols docket in federal immigration courts, and groups that work in them are raising concerns about the risk to migrants and court staff. Full Story
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![Migrants make camp at a makeshift migrant camp at the base of Paso del Norte International Bridge in Ciudad Juárez on Thur...]()
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals stops an execution because of coronavirus
John Hummel’s lawyer requested a stay of execution in a unique court filing Friday, but Tarrant County officials opposed it. Full Story
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![John Hummel.]()
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Texas prisons, youth lockups cancel visitation after coronavirus disaster declaration
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice said no visitation would be allowed until further instruction Friday. Some county jails, like Harris and Dallas, have also halted visits. Full Story
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![Birds fly overhead at the Hilltop prison unit in Gatesville, Texas, Nov. 25, 2019.]()
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Texas Court of Criminal Appeals rejects new death penalty trial requested under "junk science" law
Rigoberto Avila Jr. was sentenced to death in 2001 in the death of his girlfriend's 19-month-old son. In 2018, an El Paso judge recommended he get a new trial because of outdated science used at his trial. Full Story
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![Rigoberto Avila was sentenced to death in 2001.]()
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In 2017, Texas leaders promised bold reforms to help child sex-trafficking victims. Here’s what’s changed — and what hasn’t.
State leaders have made serious reforms to some of the issues we previously reported on, though advocates say there’s still a long way to go. Full Story
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![People who care for sex-trafficking victims have a common refrain: It's not if they'll run away, but when.]()
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Jerry McGinty to head troubled Legislative Budget Board
McGinty, the CFO of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, will lead an embattled agency of nonpartisan budget analysts who have been without an executive director since October 2018. Full Story
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![State Capitol on June 20, 2017.]()
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In two Texas prisoner deaths, one former officer is indicted after another's case is cleared
A former correctional officer was charged with aggravated assault by a public servant Thursday in Walker County, a week after another man was cleared of criminal charges in another inmate homicide. Full Story
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![Texas Department of Criminal Justice William G. McConnell Unit at Chase Field in Beeville, TX, November 1, 2013. (Jennife...]()
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Texas state crime labs won’t test suspected marijuana in low-level cases
The Texas Department of Public Safety said last week that it would not perform testing to distinguish between hemp and marijuana in misdemeanor cases. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2020.]()
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This judge refused to toss Rick Perry’s indictment. Now Perry is backing his opponent in Court of Criminal Appeals race.
A PAC with close ties to Perry is backing Gina Parker’s campaign to oust incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary. Full Story
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![Republican Gina Parker is challenging incumbent Judge Bert Richardson in the GOP primary for the Place 3 seat on the state...]()
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T-Squared: Take The Texas Tribune's annual reader survey
Your responses will help us better understand the people consuming our journalism and how they use it — and that will make us better equipped to serve you. Full Story
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![Amanda Elise Salas asks a question to state Senator and Representatives during a panel of The Rio Grande Valley & 86th Leg...]()
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Former UT coach Michael Center sentenced to six months in connection with admissions scandal
Center took a $100,000 bribe in exchange for marking a prospective student a tennis recruit. The student had no background in tennis and left the team shortly after being accepted into the university. Full Story
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![UT men's tennis coach Michael Center exits the U.S. Federal Courthouse in Austin on March 12, 2019. The university placed ...]()
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Hemp is booming in Texas. Distinguishing it from marijuana is still a challenge.
In this video, The Texas Tribune dug into hemp and marijuana with lawmakers, crime lab scientists, criminal defense attorneys and hemp entrepreneurs. Full Story
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![A container of dried hemp plant with leaves and stems on Jan. 23, 2020.]()
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As the Texas prison population shrinks, the state is closing two more lockups
The closures are expected in the coming months, as the state faces dangerous understaffing in its prisons. Full Story
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![Telford prison in New Boston, Texas.]()
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Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Mike Bloomberg’s apology for “stop and frisk” was key to endorsement
Turner’s endorsement comes amid controversy over Bloomberg's “stop and frisk” policy during his time as mayor of New York City. Full Story
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![From left: Democratic presidential candidate Mike Bloomberg and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner.]()