In Search of Greater Justice With a Travis County Public Defender’s Office

Taking steps toward a much improved, more equitable local criminal justice system

"...to the Texas Indigent Defense Commission for the creation of a Travis County public defender's office. [inset-1-right]..."

May 24, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

Point Austin: Trials of Our Would-Be Rulers Highlight the Limits of American Justice

In Trump and Paxton trials, the rules don’t apply

"...the last several days, we’ve been provided a glimpse of what passes for public accountability among the rich and..."

April 19, 2024 News Post by Michael King

Perry's Third Felony?

Governor's war of words against jurors backfires with legal warning

"...into a media side show. Unfortunately for him, some of his most bullish statements may have got him into..."

Aug. 22, 2014 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Judge, 167th District Court: Two Sides of the Law

De La Fuente vs. Wahlberg for the 167th bench

"...has moved over to run for the Third Court of Appeals. That leaves two dynamic and qualified Dems –..."

May 11, 2012 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Greg Abbott Threatens to Pardon Daniel Perry After Murder Conviction

Goaded by Tucker Carlson, the governor looks to step in

"...carefully consider the evidence presented before them, eight days of it, much of it very detailed...."

April 8, 2023 News Post by Brant Bingamon

Color of Justice

A drug bust in tiny Tulia, Texas opens up old racial wounds and raises questions about the veracity of the undercover cop-for-hire who orchestrated it all.

"...didn't take place in the high-volume inner-city cocaine rings of Houston or Dallas, or in a major trafficking hub..."

July 28, 2000 News Feature by Nate Blakeslee

The Exquisite Torments of Ken Paxton

Why is everybody so mean to the Texas Attorney General?

"...That was the outlandish claim of Ken Paxton, newly restored Texas Attorney General, following his..."

Sept. 18, 2023 News Post by Michael King

Nick Broomfield Tells Tales of the Grim Sleeper

Filmmaker talks about his new HBO doc, LA, race, and death

"...For his new documentary, Tales of the Grim Sleeper, Broomfield spent a year and a..."

April 26, 2015 Screens Post by Richard Whittaker

DNA Evidence Clears Morton of Murder Conviction

Georgetown man was wrongfully convicted for wife's murder

"...Michael Morton walked out of prison a free man Oct. 4, after Williamson County..."

Oct. 7, 2011 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Death Watch: “Texas Seven” Member Contests “Law of Parties”

A robbery ended in a police officer death while Patrick Murphy waited outside. Current Texas law holds him responsible.

"...After this story went to press, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied Patrick Murphy’s request to reconsider its..."

March 22, 2019 News Feature by Sarah Marloff

Bill of the Week

Watson files a sexting bill

"...To combat the allegedly growing problem of "sexting" – sending sexually explicit photos via text messages..."

Feb. 11, 2011 News Column by Jordan Smith

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...that have created a safety hazard for swimmers, city officials announced Tuesday. City workers have implemented a temporary fix..."

Sept. 6, 2024 News Feature

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...Normalizing Insanity: In the final week of this election cycle, the Republican Party is running two..."

Nov. 1, 2024 News Feature

APD Officer Indicted in 2020 Shooting of Michael Ramos

Christopher Taylor charged with first-degree murder

"...A Travis County grand jury has indicted Austin police Officer Christopher Taylor on a charge of first-degree murder for..."

March 19, 2021 News Feature by Austin Sanders

The Half-Century Psych of Shiva's Headband

13th Floor Elevators weren't the only local psych act exploring Austin's outer limits – and still doing so

"...There have been bands skirting around the edges of city life, some making an impact and others helping..."

Dec. 1, 2017 Music Feature by Bill Bentley

Pearl Moen: Out of Jail Already?

Your parole hearing hardly means you’re out on parole

"...– including the assistant district attorney who secured her conviction...."

Oct. 13, 2017 News Feature by Chase Hoffberger

Bill of the Week: Prosecuting the Prosecutors

DAs oppose proposal to expand criminal liability

"...a prosecutor opposed it – indeed, several, including representatives of both the Bexar and Harris County D.A.'s offices signed..."

April 20, 2013 News Post by Jordan Smith

If You're White, It's All Right

The colors of justice in Williamson County

"...In 2003, Williamson County Sheriff's Office investigators made a series of significant felony drug busts...."

Sept. 24, 2004 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Perry's Mug Shot

Governor arraigned on two felony charges: Twitter goes dewy-eyed

"...Update: Perry has pleaded "not guilty" to both felony counts relating to abuse of power and coercion of..."

Aug. 20, 2014 News Post by Richard Whittaker

The Common Law

Divorce – Let Me (Unfortunately) Count the Ways

"...marriage "has become insupportable due to discord or conflict of personalities that destroys the legitimate ends of the martial..."

June 23, 2006 Column by Luke Ellis

Possession Not a Passport to Deportation

Supremes rule that deportation isn't automatic

"...minor drug possession does not automatically warrant the deportation of otherwise law-abiding legal immigrants...."

June 15, 2010 News Post by Jordan Smith

I Got the Hook-Up

"...New Orleans' answer to Suge Knight -- minus the felony conviction, of course -- is rapper Master P, whose..."

June 5, 1998 Movie Review by Marc Savlov

Travis County Revisits Creating Public Defenders’ Office

Legal panel ponders questions pondered many times before

"...Judging from Monday night’s “conversation” about the possibility of creating a Travis County Public Defenders’ Office, the myriad..."

April 16, 2019 News Post by Michael King

News Roundup: Questions and Answers

Paxton expects to be in court for approximately forever

"...week's News Roundup: Ken Paxton undergoes the legal equivalent of falling down a rising escalator; Council gets conceptual; movie..."

Aug. 23, 2015 News Post by the News Staff

Opinion: With Elections Looming, Texas Should Expand the Right to Vote

The laws that deny voting rights to people due to a felony conviction have no place in modern America

"...state currently denies the right to vote to hundreds of thousands of our own citizens because of their history..."

July 26, 2024 Column by Robert Lilly

Niche Justice

Travis County specialty courts try to break the cycle of crime

"...is, until she took the pill. "Within 15 minutes of taking that quaa­lude, everything changed," she recalled recently. "I..."

March 26, 2010 News Feature by Jordan Smith

Deep Blues From Gatesville

Amy Smith thought a judge would give her two years max for possession of crack cocaine; why is she doing 20?

"...third child, she went to prison on a drug conviction. She carried her pregnancy to term in the Dallas..."

March 16, 2001 News Feature by Amy Smith

County Drops Most Charges Against Protesters

104 of the 178 people arrested at the spring and summer protests will avoid court

"...David Escamilla has decided to throw out a majority of the charges related to this summer's Black Lives Matter..."

Nov. 27, 2020 News Feature by Brant Bingamon

Emily the Criminal

Aubrey Plaza goes from wage slave to free crook in a capitalist critique

"...few things as satisfying as watching Aubrey Plaza go off on a potential employer during a job interview. This..."

Aug. 12, 2022 Movie Review by Josh Kupecki

Pot Possession a Passport to Deportation?

Supreme Court considers when a legal U.S. resident can face deportation

"...Can a legal resident of the U.S. be deported for simple pot possession? And..."

April 1, 2010 News Post by Jordan Smith

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