Texas already seceded once — in 1861. But the Texas Nationalist Movement wants a repeat a century and a half later, and thinks the March GOP primary is the place to start.
Criminal Justice
Get the latest Texas Tribune coverage on criminal justice, including crime, courts, law enforcement, and reforms shaping the state’s justice system.
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Criminal Justice
Scrutiny Follows Bland, Deputy Deaths
In the coming days, the deaths of Sandra Bland and Harris County Deputy Darren Goforth will continue to jolt statewide conversations about how the Texas criminal justice system deals with — or fails to deal with — mental health issues.
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Criminal Justice
New Crime Lab Protocol Leads to Reviews of “Mixed DNA” Evidence
A new standard, used by crime labs in Texas and nationwide when analyzing multiple sets of DNA taken from evidence, has prompted questions and a review of court cases dating back to 1999.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Revisit our Paid to Prosecute Project
Revisit our Paid to Prosecute project, a six-month Texas Tribune/Austin American-Statesman investigation that revealed a chummy and unusual financial arrangement between Texas Mutual Insurance and the Travis County DA’s office.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Decades After Reforms, Exclusive Deal Lingers
An exclusive funding deal between Texas Mutual and the Travis County DA was forged amid crisis, one that has long-since passed. While the company used to be subject to government audits and transparency laws, lobbyists have worked to lift such rules.
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Chief Fraud Lawyer Has an Independent Streak — and a Public Personality
From almost the very beginning, the controversial relationship between a giant Texas insurance company and the Travis County DA’s office has been overseen by a fiery prosecutor with a tendency to share her liberal politics and social views on social media.
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Criminal Justice
Cubans Flood Texas Ports After Thaw in Relations
If current trends hold, the port of Laredo is on pace to welcome about 60 percent more Cubans than it did last fiscal year. Why the exodus when the island-nation is on the verge of reestablishing ties with the U.S.?
Posted inCourts, Criminal Justice, State Government
Private Insurer Pays Government Lawyers to Pursue Fraud Charges
A six-month Texas Tribune/Austin American-Statesman investigation into a chummy and unusual financial arrangement between Texas Mutual Insurance and the Travis County DA’s office reveals a series of troubling issues.
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Criminal Justice
Detainees Face Challenges Despite Judge’s Ruling
After a federal judge ruled that most women and children being held in Texas immigration detention centers should be released, attorneys say they are making some progress on their clients’ cases. But they argue the government is making their work harder because it hasn’t established a clear set of rules.
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Criminal Justice
Video: Adler and Taylor on Public Safety
At our 9/4 conversation, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and San Antonio Mayor Ivy Taylor talked about the expected impact of open carry on their cities and the importance of their police officers wearing body cameras.
