Criminal Justice

The Texas Indigent Defense Commission is asking the Legislature to allocate millions of the state's general revenue to rural public defense attorneys and offices.

Ahead of the 89th Legislative session in Texas' congress, the Texas Newsroom’s Blaise Gainey reports state lawmakers will find out today just how much money they’ll have to work with when crafting the state’s next 2-year budget. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports a new Texas A&M report shows rural counties are short on criminal attorneys who represent low-income defendants.

Recreational marijuana is still illegal in Texas. The socially conservative legislature has voted it down year after year. And yet, with its exploding market for largely unregulated consumable hemp, Texas has inadvertently become the new Republic of THC.

The U.S. Department of Justice filed an amended complaint Tuesday alleging six of the nation’s largest landlords — including Dallas-based Willow Bridge Property Co. — participated in an illegal scheme allowing landlords to increase rental prices and decrease competition.

President Joe Biden has granted 39 pardons and nearly 1,500 commutations for prisoners, including former Lubbock businessman Benny Judah. Houston Public Media’s Gail Delaughter looks at how Texas Christmas tree growers keep supplies strong despite a drought over the summer. Between this weekend and the new year, AAA projects 9.1 million people in Texas will travel more than 50 miles from home.

Texas lawmakers are again attempting to get death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify about his conviction. KERA's Toluwani Osibamowo reports Roberson was blocked from testifying in person the first time he was called. The City of Lubbock is accepting applications for several boards and committees through December 31. The term for the positions will begin June 1, 2025. Applications can be submitted at www.mylubbock.us/cityboards.

Texas prohibits people with assault convictions, among other felonies, from becoming social workers. A new lawsuit says the ban is unconstitutional.

The Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence summoned Roberson to testify about his case, which successfully stayed his October execution with help from the Texas Supreme Court. But the high court says the House overstepped it's authority.

The four U.S. Attorneys from Texas gathered with the Texas Council on Family Violence to discuss domestic violence prevention — something they say transcends politics.

Lousiana's Ten Commandments mandate for public schools was struck down by a federal district court, this week. Houston Public Media’s Andrew Schneider says that’s not likely to stop Texas lawmakers from taking up their own version. Lubbock has one of the highest rates of aggravated domestic violence in U.S. cities with a population over 250,000. A program by U.S. attorneys from the state focused on prosecuting domestic abusers may be at risk once president-elect Donald Trump takes office.