The latest criminal justice news from The Texas Tribune.
As the debate on immigration reform advances, immigration attorneys fear that an emphasis on strict border enforcement will make an already difficult task more strenuous for asylum seekers. Full Story
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Scottie Forcey is one of 23 convicted Texas murderers who could get the chance to be parole eligible after serving 40 years in prison as legislators work to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Full Story
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In an opinion issued this week, Attorney General Greg Abbott says the state is under no legal obligation to help cover any potential shortfall faced by the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association. Full Story
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The Senate could vote as early as next week on transportation funding and criminal justice measures that died in the first special session. Those measures were quickly approved Tuesday by two Senate committees. Full Story
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A new law allowing Travis County to commit juvenile offenders to local detention facilities instead of large state institutions could set the stage for the next steps in reforming Texas’ juvenile justice system. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate on Thursday passed its version of the comprehensive immigration reform bill that would pave the way for citizenship for the millions of undocumented immigrants living in the country. Full Story
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Wednesday's execution of Kimberly McCarthy for the 1997 stabbing death of her neighbor will mark Texas' 500th execution since 1976 and the 261st during Gov. Rick Perry's tenure. Use our interactive to view information on each execution under Perry. Full Story
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Legislation that would create sentencing guidelines for 17-year-old murderers and increase funding for road construction were not the target of state Sen. Wendy Davis' filibuster, but died amid her high-profile effort. Full Story
Texans is waiting to find out whether its voter ID law and its redistricting maps will be affected by a Supreme Court ruling on Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act. But another ruling in an Arizona case could come into play. Full Story
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The U.S. Senate is scheduled to cast key votes on Monday on immigration reform, including action on a border-enforcement amendment that many say is the glue holding the compromise together. Texas' two senators oppose the compromise measure. Full Story
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The Texas Legislature has moved closer to passing a bill that would solve constitutional problems that have left prosecutors without sentencing options for some juveniles convicted of capital murder. Full Story
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A recent state audit revealed lapses in the Texas Medical Board's oversight of pain management clinics. The agency says new funding from legislators will allow increased monitoring to curb the proliferation of "pill mills." Full Story
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For the state's largest business association and criminal justice reform advocates, the 83rd legislative session was successful despite Gov. Rick Perry's veto of a key measure that they said would have made it easier for former inmates to find work. Full Story
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As stakeholders focus on the U.S. Senate during the debate on comprehensive immigration reform, the lower chamber has begun marking up a measure that would expand immigration enforcement powers to local law enforcement. Full Story
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Constitutional questions could plague the capital murder legislation under consideration in the current special legislative session, according to some juvenile justice advocates. Full Story
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John Morton, who has overseen U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement since 2009, is resigning from his post. Full Story
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District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg's story was primarily about a public fall from grace. When Gov. Rick Perry stripped funding from the public integrity unit she runs, it also became a story about a political power grab. Full Story
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Ten years after he was sent to prison for sex crimes he didn't commit, Steven Phillips and his wife divorced. In 2009, he was exonerated and awarded nearly $6 million in compensation. His ex-wife says she's entitled to some of it. Full Story
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This week in the Texas Weekly Newsreel: It's week three of the special session, and Gov. Rick Perry has added a few more items to the agenda, including abortion restrictions, transportation and criminal sentencing for teenagers. Full Story
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The Senate on Friday approved a measure that would require judges and juries to sentence 17-year-olds convicted of capital murder to life in prison with the chance of parole after 40 years. Full Story
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