The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
Critics have denounced Abbott's proposal as "political theater" that won't pass legal muster. But the two-term Republican governor says it's time to secure the border. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/images/2017/12/27/Border_Wall_7_CR_TT.jpg)
As he was fighting for the Legislature to change state bail laws, the governor continued his emergency order to restrict no-cost jail releases during the pandemic. At least several Texas courts have deemed the order unconstitutional. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/25cd8a241af501d2495bf63722bea2d1/Dawson%20State%20Jail%20TT%2001.jpg)
Last month, a divided three-judge panel ruled that the case should move back to Collin County. Prosecutors are asking the full 1st Court of Appeals to review and reverse that ruling, potentially further delaying the 6-year-old case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/88b280f4ec705b6ed3d5401e0b0c3c2a/Ken%20Paxton%20BD%20TT%2006.jpg)
A federal attorney claims an order from Gov. Greg Abbott violates the U.S. Constitution’s Supremacy Clause and said legal action could follow if the state carries through with plans to pull licenses from the federally contracted facilities. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/c442ddef7b3df19c3c748a64efbe7649/Unaccompanied%20Migrants%20IPA%20TT%2010.jpg)
As many as 400,000 immigrants have been granted temporary protected status in the U.S. because of unsafe conditions or crises in their native countries. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/83ab40d4b03ab90c4e6a7f70a3740b08/US_Supreme_Court_Sunset)
Her resignation is effective Friday, she told Gov. Greg Abbott in a letter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1870d3fb8cfa316f17acb749360eb369/Eva%20Guzman%20Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20TTF%20MKC%20TT%2001.jpg)
Planned Parenthood sued to block the "sanctuary city for the unborn" ordinance, passed by voters in May, but a federal judge said he didn't have jurisdiction to hear the case. The ordinance went into effect Tuesday. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f816d3a3e03983b5b71e904e07e3a7d0/Abortion%20Rally%2005-19%20EL%20TT%2005)
House Bill 20 would have made it harder for arrestees to get out of jail without cash and limited charitable bail funds’ ability to post bond for people. Gov. Greg Abbott said bail legislation will be included in a special session. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/8703658ffc968d74d56cbe205d761390/03%20Bail%20Bonds%20MG%20TT.jpg)
Senate Bill 7, a Republican priority voting bill, would limit early voting hours, curtail local voting options and further clamp down on mail-in voting, among several other provisions. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4777ce1db12210406153060ec1ea360b/Biden%20Hampton%20VA%20REUTERS%20TT.jpg)
The case was moved to Harris County from Collin County after prosecutors argued that having the trial there would be unfair because of Paxton's political ties in that region. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/5449cbbf8fef69149b931f46e158df37/15_Ken_Paxton_MG.jpg)
In 2018, a lower court ruled that a state law that prohibits posting someone’s intimate photos online without their permission violated the First Amendment. Wednesday’s ruling overturns that decision. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ae447d671435d306379a4e8ce5331c2f/Revenge%20Porn%20Art.jpg)
On Wednesday, the state executed Quintin Jones, 41, for the Tarrant County murder of his great-aunt in 1999. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f1f64241c4d6170d5baf1d796f00eea5/01%20Death%20Chamber%20TDCJ%20GR%20TT.jpg)
The signing of the bill opens a new frontier in the battle over abortion restrictions as first-of-its-kind legal provisions intended to make the law harder to challenge are poised to be tested in the courts. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/30f11e7585ae7ae573a7d4c343f03ea8/Abortion%20Rally%2005-19%20EL%20TT%2004)
Relatives of Jones and his victim pleaded for the state to spare his life, but the Texas parole board declined. His lawyer argued that was because Jones was Black, since a white man in a similar situation was spared. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/46c56ab8b2090084a470aa5475938656/Death%20Row%20Photo%20TDCJ%20BW%20TT.jpg)
HB 19’s sponsors say the bill will prevent excessive lawsuits against companies, but road safety advocates say the bill would make Texas roads more dangerous and prevent victims of crashes from receiving justice. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/6093523304d81df6fc00e93c6d5bd975/Mentone%20Semi%20Truck%20EP%20TT.jpg)
The American Civil Liberties Union of Texas and Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas are suing over the West Texas city’s “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/1c702948c9f51802dcb7377af51fb523/Lubbock%20May%20Election%20Day%20JR%20TT%2006.jpg)
Legislative attempts to reform bail in Texas are likely headed for a closed-door showdown over the different approaches the House and Senate each devised. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/4897f5dfaa1c671d69fe3dd902eb2778/Bail%20Bond%20Signs%20EL%20TT%2005.jpg)
Twitter sued the attorney general Ken Paxton following his launch of an investigation into the social media platform after it suspended President Donald Trump’s account. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e4bad68d1ddc458ba5a2f015da78fb77/Ken%20Paxton%20Red%20State%202014%20CN%20TT%2002.jpg)
The judge found the National Rifle Association was trying to use its move to Texas to avoid a lawsuit by the New York attorney general that accused the gun rights group of financial abuses. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/78e6714ac2e44324e6cfddf759648e88/NRA%20Expo%20Dallas%20SK%20TT%2012.jpg)
A federal judge in 2015 found that Texas violates foster children's constitutional rights. At a hearing this week, court monitors found some progress in reforming the foster care system — but also noted several concerns. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/23e69ecb75c1598d57aed8d63c865b21/Texas%20DFPS%20EG%20TT%2023.jpg)