The latest criminal justice news from The Texas Tribune.
The repercussions Texans face for possessing small amounts of pot — something several states no longer consider criminal — can all depend on where in the state they live. Some lawmakers want an across-the-board relaxation of criminal charges. But stigma fuels lingering opposition. Full Story
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As the state put the 70-year-old to death, his son banged on the death chamber window. After an altercation with law enforcement, Coble's son and another relative were removed from the witness room and arrested. Full Story
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The ruling only pertains to a slice of the law, but open government advocates say the decision “removes a powerful disincentive” put in place to keep public officials from hiding public business. Full Story
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The chairs of two House committees signed on as joint authors of a bill that would set the method of determining if a capital murder defendant is intellectually disabled and therefore ineligible for execution. Full Story
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A recent in-custody death report said an inmate died from hyperthermia in July, but Texas prison officials said he was in an air-conditioned cell. Full Story
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This time, the majority of the justices said Moore has shown he is intellectually disabled. Full Story
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Billed as a consumer-protection effort, the proposal would allow approved individuals to serve as investment advisers without registering with the state board — a felony under Texas law that Ken Paxton was charged with in 2015. Full Story
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State jails were created to help low-level drug offenders get treatment. But they offer few rehabilitative services, and their inmates are more likely to reoffend. Full Story
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Lawmakers in both chambers and parties want to fix the controversial Driver Responsibility Program, but the program funds state trauma centers. Where will they find $144 million to fill the gap? Full Story
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In the wake of a midterm election that saw four major state appeals courts flip on partisan lines, Hecht called on lawmakers to consider changing Texas to a system of merit selection and retention elections. Full Story
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Two years after a bail reform bill died in the Legislature, new bail legislation has other factors working in its favor. Full Story
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Nearly two decades after the U.S. Supreme Court said it was unconstitutional to execute those with intellectual disabilities, Texas still has no process on determining the condition — leaving life-and-death decisions in the hands of courts with very different methods. Full Story
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In response to a call from Pope Francis for transparency, all 15 dioceses have released lists going back decades. Full Story
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Jennings was put to death Wednesday for the 1988 murder of Elston Howard. The long sentence was complicated by constantly evolving death penalty laws. Full Story
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Justices questioned whether revealing the name would risk physical harm to the supplier — or only hurt its business. Full Story
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Gov. Greg Abbott and his partners in office want to impose limits on the size of local property tax increases, and the governor has added a twist those local governments might like: He has targeted unfunded state mandates. Full Story
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The Texas House wants to give the state prison system $160 million more to help care for inmates. The Senate wants to cut funding. Full Story
The court ordered Austin to pay a fine to the state for each day it prevented investigators from the attorney general's office from carrying their firearms. Full Story
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Judge Elsa Alcala ended her tenure critical of the death penalty and often pleading for policy changes from the state Legislature. Full Story
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Blaine Milam was convicted in the 2008 East Texas death of his girlfriend's 13-month-old baby. Full Story
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