Alleging that Sandra Bland’s “rights and privileges as a citizen of the United States” were violated, Bland’s mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit Tuesday against the Texas Department of Public Safety, Waller County and several law enforcement officers.
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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31 Days, 31 Ways (2015)
Texas Grand Jury Selection to Become More Random
Texas is on the verge of overhauling the way it selects grand jurors, shifting away from an antiquated process that critics say creates the potential for conflicts of interest. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series.
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Criminal Justice
Barratry Charges Against Ron Reynolds Downgraded
Felony charges against state Rep. Ron Reynolds, D-Missouri City, were dropped Friday and replaced with misdemeanor charges.
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Criminal Justice
Reports: Paxton Indicted by Collin County Grand Jury
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has been indicted by a Collin County grand jury, Dallas-area media reported Saturday, citing sources close to the case.
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Criminal Justice
DPS Trooper Warned in 2014 of “Unprofessional Conduct”
The Texas Department of Public Safety trooper who arrested Sandra Bland, a 28-year-old black woman who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail, was warned about his “unprofessional conduct” in 2014 while he was still a probationary trooper, according to his personnel file.
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31 Days, 31 Ways (2015)
Law Enforcement Will Receive Training on Dog Encounters
Due to a new law mandating training on canine encounters, all law enforcement officers will spend at least four hours in a classroom and interacting with dogs. This story is part of our 31 Days, 31 Ways series.
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Criminal Justice
McCraw Hammered at Hearing on Bland Case
State lawmakers grilled Texas Department of Public Safety Director Steve McCraw on Thursday, voicing concerns about arrest procedures used by state police and pressing the agency head to explain the July 10 arrest of Sandra Bland, who was found hanged three days later in the Waller County Jail.
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Criminal Justice
Mental Health Jail Check Failed in Bland Case
The Waller County Jail failed to complete a two-part mental health screening process as required by law during Sandra Bland’s booking process, according to the state jail commission and at least one public policy group.
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Criminal Justice
Legal Experts Question State’s Immunity Claim
The state of Texas can’t hide behind sovereign immunity to escape a lawsuit for denying birth certificates to U.S. citizen children of undocumented immigrants, some legal experts contend.
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Criminal Justice
Bland Arrest, Death Prompt Legislative Hearing
Following the controversial arrest and death of Sandra Bland in Waller County, a Houston lawmaker will convene a Texas House committee hearing Thursday to look at trooper arrest procedures and state jail standards.
