Legal News
Latest updates from Houston & Texas
Constitutional Rights News
Legal and political developments related to Constitutional Rights, analyzed from a civil rights perspective.
Articles tagged "Constitutional Rights"
Texas Attorney General Race Heats Up: A Look at the Legal Stakes and Policy Future
The 2026 Texas Attorney General race is set to redefine the state's top legal office, with candidates differing sharply on its future role. This election will determine whether the AG's office continues its aggressive, politically charged litigation or returns to a more traditional focus on consumer protection and child support, significantly impacting legal policy and constitutional rights across Texas.
Texas Court of Criminal Appeals Primaries: Decoding the Legal Stakes for Your Rights
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is the highest court for criminal cases, making crucial decisions on death penalty appeals, habeas corpus petitions, and challenges to state prosecutorial authority. The upcoming primaries for three seats will determine the court's future ideological leanings, directly impacting constitutional rights and the interpretation of criminal law across Texas.
Texas Governor Abbott Splits with Trump Over Federal Election Control
Governor Greg Abbott has publicly rejected former President Donald Trump's call to nationalize elections, citing the U.S. Constitution's allocation of primary election authority to states. This rare split highlights core legal principles of federalism and states' rights, even as Abbott himself has sought increased state control over local elections in Harris County. Legal experts confirm any federal takeover would face significant constitutional and logistical hurdles requiring Congressional approval.
Texas Sees Historic Surge in Immigrant Detention Challenges
Immigrants challenging their detention via habeas corpus petitions have hit historic highs, with over 18,000 cases since January 2025. This surge, far exceeding previous administrations, raises serious legal questions about due process and is significantly straining the nation's immigration legal system.
Texas Courts See Explosion in Legal Fights Over Immigration Detention
A massive surge in habeas corpus petitions by immigrants challenging federal detention policies has overwhelmed U.S. courts, particularly in Texas. This reflects a fundamental conflict between new administration policies limiting bond hearings and judicial interpretations of due process rights, straining legal resources and sparking a constitutional debate. The legal system faces an unprecedented test of the right to challenge unlawful confinement.
Cy-Fair ISD Pushes Back on Governor Abbott, Citing Constitutional Freedoms in Islamic Games Dispute
Cy-Fair ISD Superintendent Douglas Killian has rejected Governor Greg Abbott's demands to sever ties with the Houston Islamic Games, arguing the district's neutral facility-use policies are protected by constitutional principles of non-discrimination. The dispute highlights legal battles over executive power, religious freedom, and CAIR's challenge to Abbott's classification of it as a "foreign terrorist organization," raising questions about government overreach and school district autonomy.
Federal Judge Halts Texas Anti-Boycott Fossil Fuel Law, Citing Constitutional Breaches
A federal judge has declared a 2021 Texas law unconstitutional, ruling it violated First and Fourteenth Amendment rights by broadly restricting state investments in firms "boycotting" fossil fuels. The decision protects free speech and due process, halting a state effort to use public funds to influence corporate environmental stances. This ruling emphasizes that state legislation cannot overreach constitutional protections, even in pursuit of economic policy.
Texas Detention Center Faces Legal Scrutiny Amid Measles Outbreak, Sparks Policy Debate
A measles outbreak at the Dilley immigration detention center, coupled with a federal judge's order for a child's release, is intensifying legal and public policy debates in Texas. This situation highlights serious concerns about detention conditions, government accountability, and the impact of state laws like SB4 on immigration enforcement and public health.
Galveston Protest Ignites Legal Debate Over Federal Enforcement Tactics
Hundreds gathered in Galveston to protest federal immigration enforcement tactics, sparked by the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal officers in Minnesota. The demonstration highlighted serious constitutional questions regarding federal power, citizens' rights, and the legal accountability of federal agencies for their actions.
North Texas Stunner: Legal Echoes as Democrat Flips Deep Red Senate Seat, Signaling Policy Fights Ahead
Democrat Taylor Rehmet's surprising win in a deep red North Texas Senate district highlights critical legal and public policy shifts. The victory, fueled by Latino and suburban voter backlash to conservative policies and impactful immigration enforcement actions, signals potential changes in legislative priorities and raises questions about campaign finance fairness and constitutional rights.
Federal Court Steps In: Liam Ramos and Father Released, Raising Questions on Immigration Enforcement
A federal court order mandated the release of 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father from ICE detention in South Texas, with the presiding judge raising significant constitutional questions about administrative warrants and immigration enforcement practices. This case highlights ongoing legal challenges to detention conditions and broader policy debates concerning migrant families' civil and human rights.