Ken Anderson, who oversaw Michael Morton’s wrongful murder conviction as a prosecutor, was sentenced to nine days in jail and will surrender his law license as part of a deal to resolve criminal charges and a civil lawsuit.
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
Dignity in Burials for Prisoners and Families
Prisoner rights advocates often criticize the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, but experts agree that offender burials are one thing the state prison system does well, especially compared with other states.
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Criminal Justice
Facing Deportation, Activist Says He Has No Regrets Over Actions
A member of the “DREAM 34” — a group that marched to the Laredo port of entry to criticize U.S. immigration policies and to seek political asylum — is facing deportation. He says his actions were the right thing to do.
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Criminal Justice
Liberal Groups Fault Cornyn, Cruz on Judicial Vacancies
Leaders from state and national liberal organizations on Monday called on U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn to increase efforts to fill nine vacant federal judgeships that impact Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Proposed Rules Could Increase Use of Pepper Spray on Youths
County probation chiefs want new authority to use pepper spray, saying proposed rules would provide more local control over how their facilities are operated.
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Criminal Justice
Castro: No Split Among Democrats on Immigration Reform
U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro said that despite reports that some Democrats are urging their colleagues not to work with Republicans on immigration reform, the party wants to see something pass before the year ends.
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Criminal Justice
Court Orders New Mental Competency Hearing in Death Penalty Case
UPDATED: The Court of Criminal Appeals has ordered a new hearing in the case of Marcus Druery to determine whether he is mentally competent to be executed.
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Criminal Justice
Facility for Mentally Ill Youths in Limbo Amid Legislative Delays
Months after lawmakers cut millions of dollars in funding for the state juvenile justice department and ordered the closure of a detention facility, movement to shutter a Corsicana facility for mentally ill youths remains stalled as state leaders reconsider its demise.
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Criminal Justice
Activist Immigrants Hurt Their Cause, Lawyer Says
A top immigration lawyer says activist immigrants like the DREAM 9 in Arizona betray the cause they champion and can dilute important cases like that of Carlos Gutierrez, who sought asylum in the U.S. after criminal gangs cut his legs off.
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Criminal Justice
Case Shows How Time Affects Pursuit of Justice
A family is fighting to keep jailed the man suspected in their relatives’ deaths, while he pursues a chance to become eligible for parole.
