The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
Testimony and closing arguments have wrapped up in the criminal trial of state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio. Now a jury will decide whether he's guilty of 11 felony counts. Full Story
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A Texas couple says they were turned down as foster parents because they are gay. Now, the pair is suing the federal government. Full Story
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Federal legislation to protect young undocumented immigrants and bolster border security is again at a standstill after the U.S. Senate on Thursday failed to advance any of four proposals on the issue. Full Story
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Baylor University officials pushed back forcefully Wednesday night against a brief filed in federal court earlier in the day that claims school leaders urged staff to destroy emails and other evidence related to a wide-ranging sexual abuse scandal. Full Story
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U.S. Sen. John Cornyn on Wednesday said he thinks lawmakers should keep to their promises to vote on an immigration bill this week. But he added that whether that happens is anyone's guess. Full Story
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A federal appellate court on Wednesday mostly upheld a ruling claiming that Harris County’s bail practices unfairly discriminate against poor misdemeanor defendants. Full Story
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New state Supreme Court Justice Jimmy Blacklock is the latest judge to face a familiar challenge in Texas: On the bench, he has to appear impartial. But to keep his seat, he has to win the approval of Texas' deep-red electorate. Full Story
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For the second time in a matter of months, a top legal adviser to Gov. Greg Abbott has been named to a prominent judicial post. Full Story
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Both sides revealed the outlines of their cases Monday in a federal court trial testing Texas' nearly 150-year-old system of statewide elections to the state's two highest courts. Full Story
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A judge said Hidalgo County's lawsuit against former drainage district manager Godfrey Garza Jr. wasn't strong enough to take before a jury. But the county judge says the county will appeal. Full Story
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State Sen. Carlos Uresti's criminal fraud trial has entered its third week. The case could hinge on the testimony of one of Uresti's former legal clients. Full Story
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Federal officials said this week that a change to how the federal government decides asylum cases is meant to stamp out fraud. But immigration attorneys and human rights watchdogs said the policy would probably do more harm than good. Full Story
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Across Texas, kids are getting into less trouble with the law even though the state population is exploding. So why is Harris County's juvenile detention center bursting at the seams? Full Story
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Texas filed suit in 2013 over an Obama-era policy aimed at making it easier for convicted criminals to find work. In 2012, the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission advised employers to use criminal background checks during job screenings only when job-related or necessary for the business. Full Story
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U.S. District Judge David Alan Ezra ruled Monday afternoon that Texas cannot move forward with the rule, citing that the Texas Department of State Health Services’ arguments “lack merit.” Full Story
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In an amicus brief filed with the U.S. Supreme Court, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Thursday stated that if the 2012 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program still exists in June, his office would consider filing suit to eliminate the program. Full Story
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In opening arguments in the federal criminal case against state Sen. Carlos Uresti, prosecutors alleged that he used his reputation as a public official to lend credibility to a frac-sand company's Ponzi scheme. But defense attorneys for the San Antonio Democrat claim he was never aware of the company's criminal activity. Full Story
The bail reform fight has made its way to Dallas County, where poor inmates sued officials over the claim that the county's money bail system discriminates against them. Full Story
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State Rep. Dan Huberty's only primary challenger was on Friday declared ineligible to run to represent House District 127. Reginald C. Grant's name will remain on the ballot. Full Story
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State Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, a two-decade veteran of the Texas Legislature, is heading to trial in a criminal fraud case. Full Story
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