A grand jury indicted Rick Perry on Friday, alleging he abused his power by threatening to veto funding for the state’s anti-corruption unit unless Travis County DA Rosemary Lehmberg, who had pleaded guilty to drunk driving, stepped down.
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
Rio Grande Valley Mayor Welcomes National Guard
Rio Grande City Mayor Ruben Villarreal is among the few public officials on the border welcoming the presence of National Guard troops to deal with the surge of illegal immigration.
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Criminal Justice
Perry Visits Guard Troops Training for the Border
Gov. Rick Perry on Wednesday portrayed the deployment of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border as a critical security measure, saying troops “now are the tip of the spear protecting Americans from these cartels and gangs.”
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Criminal Justice
Proposed Rules Would Allow Alcohol at Gun Shows, With Conditions
The Texas agency that regulates alcohol sales is considering a rule change that would allow alcohol to be served at gun shows, as long as all the guns are disabled and there’s no live ammunition on the premises.
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Criminal Justice
GOP Lawmakers Make Case for Upholding Same-Sex Marriage Ban
UPDATED: Removing Texas’ same-sex marriage ban could clear the way for bigamy and pedophilia, according to a brief signed by 63 Republican lawmakers including the GOP candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.
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Criminal Justice
Years After Andrea Yates Tragedy, More Calls for Mental Health Screening
More than a decade ago, Andrea Yates drowned her five children. The publicity around the case brought attention to the mental struggles of some mothers. Now, advocates are hoping lawmakers will approve mandatory screening.
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Criminal Justice
Aide: Perry Chose Best Option on National Guard Funding
Gov. Rick Perry’s office pushed back Tuesday against criticism that he overreached in funding the deployment of Texas National Guard troops to the border.
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Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Question Perry’s Funding of National Guard at Border
Some Texas lawmakers are questioning Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to tap $38 million in unused Texas Department of Public Safety funds to pay for the emergency deployment of the Texas National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Criminal Justice
Time Running Out for Congress to Address Border Immigration Crisis
UPDATED: After the U.S. House called off a vote Tuesday afternoon on a $659 million supplemental bill for border security operations, Gov. Rick Perry said Congress is “abandoning its post.”
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Criminal Justice
Castro Invites Perry to Discuss Border With Texas Reps
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, has asked Gov. Rick Perry to meet with the entire Texas congressional delegation to discuss the influx of illegal immigrants at the border and to “help set a more positive tone.”
