The latest criminal justice news from The Texas Tribune.
Texas recently became the 47th state to pass a statewide texting-while-driving ban. The governor's proposal to pre-empt local ordinances on drivers' mobile phone use could weaken stricter city ordinances that have been in place for years. Full Story
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U.S. Rep. Roger Williams said he dove for the dugout as a gunman began shooting Wednesday morning during a GOP congressional baseball practice in Virginia. U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise and one of Williams' staffers were among those shot. Full Story
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The Texas Department of Public Safety surprised customers last week when the agency trimmed office hours to save money. Full Story
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Harris County District Judge Robert Johnson's court has been assigned to oversee Attorney General Ken Paxton's securities fraud case. Full Story
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Watch Texas Tribune CEO Evan Smith's interview of David Brown on the KLRU-TV program "Overheard with Evan Smith." Full Story
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has declined to intervene in the dispute over the judge in Attorney General Ken Paxton's securities fraud case. Full Story
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The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday halted the execution of a man convicted in the murder of a McKinney real estate agent in 2007. Full Story
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State Rep. Victoria Neave was arrested by Dallas police for allegedly driving while intoxicated overnight. She remained in jail Wednesday morning. Full Story
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Almost two years after The Texas Tribune and Austin American-Statesman revealed that a private Texas insurer had paid millions to government prosecutors to investigate certain fraud cases, the deal is being scrapped. In its place: a state-funded team. Full Story
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Prosecutors in the securities fraud case against Attorney General Ken Paxton are asking the state's highest criminal court to overturn a ruling backing his push for a new judge. Full Story
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The cities of San Antonio and Austin have announced they will file suit to stop the state's new immigration enforcement law, Senate Bill 4. Full Story
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Six months ago, a Texas Tribune series exposed how the state's decade-long crusade against sex trafficking has done little to help victims — especially children. The 2017 Legislative session, which wrapped up on Monday, continued that trend. Full Story
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The appeals court did not explicitly order Gallagher's removal from the case but voiced agreement with Paxton's lawyers that he is "without authority to continue to preside over" it. Full Story
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The bill would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs. Full Story
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A measure to repeal the widely unpopular program made it out of the House but died before hitting the Senate floor. Full Story
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The bill Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law on Thursday requires principals and superintendents to report cases of teachers having inappropriate relationships with students or face a state jail felony or a fine of up to $10,000. Full Story
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Steven Weinberg abruptly quit this week as commissioner of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, which has been roiled by reports of extravagant spending, mismanagement and heavy-handed regulation. Full Story
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Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's months-long effort to remove the judge in his securities fraud case is coming to a head in a Dallas appeals court. Full Story
Senate Bill 1913, by state Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, would allow courts to ask defendants if they are too poor to pay for traffic tickets, fines for other low-level and fine-only offenses or court costs. Full Story
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Under the bill, any crime against either group that results in serious bodily injury would be a first-degree felony, which carries a sentence of up to 99 years or life in prison. Full Story
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