Instead of continuing to spend millions on problem-plagued secure facilities operated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, juvenile justice reform advocates say legislators should invest more in local probation departments.
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
Lubbock Judge: Obama Re-election Could Spark U.N. Takeover, Civil War
A Lubbock County judge is making headlines after suggesting that President Obama might hand over sovereignty of the United States to the United Nations, possibly igniting in a civil war.
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Criminal Justice
Judge Signals Intent to Side With State, Against Condemned Inmate
A judge in Montgomery County plans to recommend that the state move forward with the execution of Larry Swearingen, who argues that science proves he is innocent of the 1998 murder for which he was condemned to die.
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Criminal Justice
Shootings Don’t Spark Calls for Gun Restrictions
Despite recent high-profile shootings in Texas and other states, advocates on all sides of the gun-control debate say there is little chance for change to gun laws.
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Criminal Justice
When It Comes to Transparency, There’s Room for Improvement
Lawmakers say they want transparency and that the public should be able to see their finances. But state requirements allow officeholders to report their financial interests vaguely enough to hide conflicts.
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Criminal Justice
TABC Changes What it Means to Be a Beer
For years, beers sold in Texas have had to have special labels if they contained a certain amount of alcohol. After a rule change finalized by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission last month, brewers can now just call a beer a beer.
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Criminal Justice
Updated: Supreme Court Denies Stay of Execution for Marvin Wilson
The U.S. Supreme Court declined a request to stay the execution of Marvin Wilson scheduled for this evening. Wilson’s lawyers argue that he is mentally disabled and should be exempted from the death penalty.
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Criminal Justice
Surprise Inspections of Juvenile Facilities Reveal Areas for Improvement
Last month, inspectors conducted surprise safety and security reviews at the state’s secure juvenile facilities. Among the findings: lax security procedures and problems with documentation.
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Criminal Justice
Death Row Inmate’s Sentence Reduced to Life
Delma Banks Jr., one of Texas death row’s longest residents, on Wednesday agreed to a life sentence for the 1980 murder of Richard Whitehead. He will be eligible for parole in 12 years.
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Inside Intelligence
Inside Intelligence: Answering Aurora
In the wake of the movie theater killings in Aurora, Colorado, we asked the insiders what the legislative response — if any — ought to be.
