The criminal records of one-time offenders who stay out of trouble would be sealed and hidden from the public under a bill that cleared the Senate Tuesday. Supporters call it a second chance, but critics fear unknowing employers will pay the price.
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
Abbott Defends Decision to Have State Guard Monitor Jade Helm 15
Gov. Greg Abbott defended his decision to have the Texas State Guard monitor a military training exercise known as Jade Helm 15. He said his office is simply looking to serve as a “communication facilitator” between the military and concerned citizens.
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Criminal Justice
Will He or Won’t He? Judge in Perry Case Faces Recusal Questions
More than a week after a judge who once worked for Rick Perry was tapped to hear an appeal in the former governor’s indictment, it’s still unclear whether he’ll see the case through.
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Criminal Justice
Abbott: Shooting in Garland Strikes at Heart of First Amendment
Texas’ top elected officials on Monday offered an absolute defense of free speech in the wake of a Garland shooting that left two gunmen dead outside a contest featuring cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.
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Criminal Justice
The Complicated Politics of Red Light Cameras
State Rep. Jonathan Stickland’s ejection from a House Transportation Committee hearing aside, activists devoted to purging Texas of red light cameras say they aren’t thrilled with the bills under consideration this session.
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Criminal Justice
Video: Castro on Baltimore
At our 5/1 conversation, Julián Castro, the U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, talked about the lessons of Baltimore — and how to prevent the next Baltimore.
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Criminal Justice
Amid Truancy Debate, Whitmire Questions Program’s Referrals
State Sen. John Whitmire is asking questions about a program for at-risk youths run by the Texas Military Department where more than half of the applicants are truant students referred by justice of the peace courts or from the schools themselves.
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Criminal Justice
Video: Turner on Baltimore
At our 4/30 conversation, state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee and a candidate for Houston mayor, talked about the events this week in Baltimore — and the takeaways for other big cities.
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Criminal Justice
Chambers Not Too Far Apart on Border Security
Despite appearances, the House and Senate aren’t too far apart on border security funding, says the lone border lawmaker on the budget conference committee. One sticking point is funding for state trooper pay.
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Criminal Justice
Gay Marriage Cases Give Republicans the Jitters
With the U.S. Supreme Court set to hear oral arguments in four same-sex marriage cases on Tuesday, Texas Republicans are already looking for loopholes in hopes of getting around a possible decision that effectively legalizes gay marriage.
