Texas' Driver Responsibility Program imposes surcharges on drivers for traffic violations from speeding and accidents to driving while intoxicated or without a license.
The Source: Should Texas Repeal The Driver Responsibility Program?
Alternatives to Incarceration
[2017 Session] End Arrests for Non-Jailable Offenses
Policy Background:
Law enforcement officers are permitted to arrest people for violations that do not have jail time as a punishment. Such offenses include minor traffic violations (e.g., speeding, registration issues, seatbelt violations, failure to signal a turn, etc.) and other nonviolent offenses (e.g., noise violations, littering, child support violations, etc.).
TCJE Op-Ed: Texas Puts Money in Taxpayer Pockets, Needs to Spend Better
Texas Puts Money in Taxpayer Pockets, Needs to Spend Better
Texans will save an estimated $92 million when shopping for school supplies during this weekend’s “tax free” days. Everyone enjoys a good discount, and that money will help families buy their kids the learning tools they need. But Texas faces a big budget shortfall this year thanks to lower gas prices. State leaders will be looking for more efficient, less costly ways to fix roads, fund schools, and secure our communities while still giving money like this back to taxpayers.
This Father’s Day, Simple Steps to Stronger Families
More than 90,000 fathers will be living in a Texas prison on Father’s Day this year. Some of them will soon be coming home. The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition calls for changes that will give those families a fighting chance at success.
Each year, over 70,000 people are released from Texas’ prison system. More than half have actually completed their sentence, are not under supervision, and get little or no help as they try to reestablish their lives.
Editorial: DPD experiment for low-level pot suspects a smart approach
An underused 2007 state law offered police officers the option of writing citations for certain low-level offenses rather than hauling suspects to jail. The point was to keep cops on the street and avoid burning up valuable hours processing defendants for misdemeanors like marijuana possession or graffiti.
Following On 2013’s Legislative Efforts, Texas Lawmakers Aim To Decriminalize Student Truancy
A Republican state lawmaker is hoping to decriminalize Texas students’ learning experience. Rep. James White’s bill, will decriminalize truancy laws and require schools to find a way to incentivize attendance and student learning.
Texas Bill Filed to Decriminalize Small Amounts of Marijuana
A bill filed Monday morning will decriminalize possession of an ounce or less of marijuana in Texas. The bill, numbered H.B. 507, would make knowing or intentional possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a non-criminal offense with a civil penalty of no more than $100.
John Legend Targets Texas Incarceration Rates
John Legend is best known for his music. But the Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter is in Texas this week lending his voice to something different: criminal justice reform.
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition Welcomes Award-Winning Artist John Legend in Support of Campaign to End Mass Incarceration
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition (TCJC), along with Texas legislators and coalition partners, welcomed nine-time Grammy® Award winner John Legend to Austin on Thursday, April 16, in support of his FREE AMERICA campaign to end mass incarceration.
East Texas man to testify before Senate about surcharges
An East Texas man traveled to Austin on Tuesday, preparing to tell a Senate committee in a public hearing about how the suspension of his driver's license has suspended his life. "If I don't drive, then I can't get a job or take my son to school or fishing." said Yeno.