In the president’s appointment of two Texans to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, conservatives are seeing the fruits of a bargain made in the 2016 elections: Donald Trump might not be their favorite, but they’re getting judges they want.
Judiciary of Texas
Posted in
Politics
Report: Trump’s judicial nominee from Texas called transgender kids part of “Satan’s plan”
Jeff Mateer, one of President Donald Trump’s latest judicial nominees and a high-ranking official in Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, said transgender children are part of “Satan’s plan” in a May 2015 speech, CNN reported.
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Criminal Justice
Some counties question need of special courts for law enforcement
Texas police officers and other first responders who have job-related mental health issues can soon be diverted into pretrial treatment programs if they commit a crime, but many large counties don’t appear interested in creating the new specialty courts.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Trump has left 17 legal vacancies in Texas
The Trump administration has begun to appoint U.S. attorneys and federal judges. But so far those efforts have not reached Texas.
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Criminal Justice
Hate crime law results in few convictions and lots of disappointment
In Texas, the tiny number of successful prosecutions leave both victims and lawmakers questioning state’s commitment to punishing hate.
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Criminal Justice
Senate passes court security bill named in honor of Austin judge who was attacked
The Judge Julie Kocurek Judicial and Courthouse Security Act of 2017 passed the chamber Tuesday.
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Criminal Justice
Legislature should prioritize judicial security, Texas Supreme Court chief justice says
In his State of the Judiciary address Wednesday, Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan Hecht discussed bail reform, the cost of legal expenses, mental health issues and a host of other topics.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Execution halted for man convicted in Corpus Christi stabbing death
Two days before death row inmate John Ramirez was scheduled to be executed, a federal district court in Corpus Christi halted the execution.
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Criminal Justice
Federal court blocks Texas fetal remains burial rule
U.S. District Court Judge Sam Sparks ruled Texas cannot require health providers to bury or cremate fetuses, delivering another blow to state leaders in the reproductive rights debate.
Posted in
Criminal Justice
Judge temporarily blocks Planned Parenthood’s ouster from Texas Medicaid
After three days of testimony from attorneys for the state and Planned Parenthood, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks is letting the reproductive health provider stay in Medicaid until Feb. 21.