State Rep. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, was arrested by Austin police on suspicion of driving while intoxicated and booked into Travis County Jail early Thursday morning, according to Travis County public records.
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
Immigration-Related Bills Poised to Spark Debate
When it comes to immigration-related legislation, this session is far different from the one two years ago. But several bills could still stir some heated debate once House committees take up the measures in the coming weeks.
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Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Mull Bills to Keep Federal Gun Laws Out of Texas
A House committee on Wednesday debated several bills that would make it a crime to enforce new federal gun laws in Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Judge Denies Norwood’s Request for New Lawyers
Mark Norwood, accused of Christine Morton’s 1986 murder, pleaded unsuccessfully on Wednesday for the judge to appoint new lawyers for him, saying his current representation isn’t his “best bud.”
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Criminal Justice
Panel Approves Bill to Increase Prosecutor Accountability
A day after the premiere of a documentary about his tragic wrongful conviction, exoneree Michael Morton sat before a Senate panel and pleaded with them to approve a law that would ensure accountability for prosecutors.
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Criminal Justice
Defense Lawyer Group Eschews Discovery Bill
Criminal defense lawyers who have led the fight against reciprocal discovery proposals in Texas are renewing their battle cries. The lawyers say the measure is unnecessary, expensive and wouldn’t prevent wrongful convictions.
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Criminal Justice
Lawmakers Urged to Protect Businesses That Hire Ex-Prisoners
Amid a broader legislative push to help former prisoners re-enter society, state lawmakers on Monday were encouraged to limit the legal liability of businesses that hire ex-prisoners.
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Criminal Justice
Years After Innocence Finding, Inmate Remains in Prison for 1987 Murder
A Dallas County judge in 2008 found Ben Spencer innocent of the 1987 robbery and murder for which he is serving a life sentence. The state’s highest court disagreed, though, and this month he will mark 26 years behind bars.
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Criminal Justice
TribWeek: In Case You Missed It
The results of the new University of Texas/Texas Tribune Poll on everything from the top race of 2014 to the gun debate, Aaronson on Medicaid expansion, Aguilar on a financial thaw in the Mexican oil patch, Batheja on cents and sensibility, M. Smith on school choice, Rocha and Dehn on TWIA reform, Galbraith on water and fracking, Murphy’s interactive map of poverty in the state, E. Smith’s TribLive interview with House Public Education Chairman Jimmie Don Aycock and Root on a lobby couple living large and reporting small: The best of our best content from March 4-8, 2013.
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Criminal Justice
Ellis, Duncan File Compromise Criminal Discovery Bill
Two state senators filed a measure on Friday that they hope will bring more transparency to criminal trials and prevent wrongful convictions by requiring prosecutors and defense lawyers to share information.
