Some Texas Lawmakers Want To Make Porch Package Theft A Felony
Stealing a package off someone’s front porch could soon become a much more serious crime. Three bills in the Texas Legislature are proposing to make it a felony.
Third Time’s The Charm? Marijuana Decriminalization Gets Another Chance in Texas
The first marijuana reform bill heard in committee this session would downgrade possession of an ounce to a civil offense and a fine up to $250.
Harris County Leaders Vote Against District Attorney’s $20 Million Budget Request To Hire More Prosecutors
The Harris County Commissioners Court voted Tuesday against District Attorney Kim Ogg’s request for a $20 million budget increase to hire more prosecutors.
Ogg’s Push To Hire More Prosecutors Stirs Backlash From Criminal Justice Reform Groups
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg is seeking an extra $20 million to hire 102 prosecutors, in order to relieve a backlog that has built up since Harvey.
New Contract Could Give Austin One of the Most Transparent Police Departments in the Country
Last year, the Texas Criminal Justice Coalition reviewed the citizen panel’s recommendations in other cases, including other mental health calls that resulted in cops killing people, and found that police officials mostly ignored them.
New Report Finds LGBTQ People are Often Unseen but Frequently Incarcerated
The Texas Criminal Justice Coalition released the third report in its “One Size FAILS All” report series. The report, Out of Sight: LGBTQ Youth and Adults in Texas Justice Systems, explores how the Lone Star State often fails to adequately address the needs of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Texans, and instead frequently moves them into the youth and adult justice systems at higher rates than people in the non-LGBTQ community.
Huntsville prisoner allegedly killed by guard was handcuffed during deadly use-of-force
The Texas prisoner allegedly killed by a guard earlier this year was handcuffed during the August use-of-force incident in a Huntsville prison that led to his death, state records show.
Texas Gov. Abbott proposes tougher bail laws for defendants who represent a threat to police
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is backing an effort to keep defendants with violent pasts behind bars. On Tuesday, Abbott appeared in Waco to ask state lawmakers to pass a new law that, among other things, would require judges to set bail based partly on whether the accused person is a threat to law enforcement.
Another citizen review board for Austin police in the works
Since June, a working group has been meeting quietly to discuss what kind of public oversight is needed for the Austin Police Department.
Accused Houston murderer’s spree highlights gaps in finding parole violators, law officials say
As investigators build their case against the man they have accused of cutting off his ankle monitor and killing three people, top law officials say the tragedy raises questions about the oversight and tracking of parole violators in Houston.