Abbott directed the Department of Public Safety to boost efforts to collect intelligence on cartels and investigate gangs in Texas that support drug and human smuggling.
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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Juvenile Justice
Tarrant County sends more kids to youth prisons than any other in Texas. Many blame this judge.
Critics say state District Judge Alex Kim is sending too many children to the state’s failing youth prison system. The longtime GOP politician points to a rise in teen gang violence.
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Criminal Justice
Three Venezuelan migrants flown from Texas to Massachusetts sue Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis
The lawsuit alleges an elaborate scheme of people luring migrants with hotel rooms, McDonald’s gift cards, hundreds of dollars in cash and false information about their final destinations.
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Criminal Justice
Judge dismisses attempt to discipline Texas AG Ken Paxton’s top aide for trying to overturn the 2020 election
The State Bar of Texas brought the complaint after the aide worked on a suit to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election in four states.
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Criminal Justice
Texas judge rules that people under felony indictment have the right to buy guns under the Second Amendment
A judge appointed by former President Donald Trump based his decision on a June U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down New York’s concealed carry law.
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Criminal Justice
Arrests along U.S.-Mexico border top 2 million a year for the first time
Federal authorities are on pace to make more than 2.3 million arrests during the 2022 fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. That will far exceed last year’s record of more than 1.7 million arrests.
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Criminal Justice
Texas board rejects posthumous pardon for George Floyd — after recommending one to Greg Abbott
The state’s parole board did not explain why it was denying the request to pardon Floyd, who was murdered by a Minneapolis police officer, for a minor 2004 drug conviction. Last year, the board recommended Abbott pardon Floyd, then rescinded that suggestion.
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Uvalde school shooting
Parents of Uvalde shooting victim urge Ted Cruz to support gun control, to no avail
The senator declined and instead said “he supports increasing law enforcement presence on school campuses.”
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Criminal Justice
Ken Starr, former Baylor president and Clinton investigator, dies at 76
Starr, best known for his role leading the investigation that led to the impeachment of President Bill Clinton, died of complications related to surgery, according to his family.
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Juvenile Justice
In Texas youth prisons, children trapped in their cells use water bottles and lunch trays for toilets
Gov. Greg Abbott largely remained silent as dangerous conditions caused by a lack of staff persisted at Texas juvenile facilities during the summer.