Law

The U.S. Department of Justice says Texas' new voting maps for Congress and the Texas House do not meet federal anti-discrimination requirements, setting up a legal battle that will decide the landscape of future elections in the state.

Federal prosecutors in Connecticut say a state trooper, a police officer and three Transportation Security Administration officers based at airports have been arrested on charges of conspiracy to distribute tens of thousands of highly addictive painkiller pills.

Normally a lawsuit involving a fast food chain and a patron has something to do with the food. In the case of Martin Kessman versus White Castle the main complaint by Mr. Kessman is that the restaurant’s booths aren’t big enough. Online Dish explains how his local White Castle repeatedly broke promises to make the booths at his local franchise bigger.

New legislation in Arizona allows the state’s Department of Corrections to impose a one-time “background check fee” of $25 on adults wishing to visit inmates at any of its 15 facilities. Needless to say, families and prisoner advocacy groups are not happy, citing the existing costs of traveling to visit loved ones housed in prisons that are often located in remote areas.

A Nigerian man accused of trying to blow up an airliner near Detroit with an explosive hidden in his underwear has asked to be judged by the Koran rather than US law.

At least 12 people in Rusk County have decided to get tough with drunk drivers.  A jury in Henderson has sentenced a Lindale woman to 58 years in prison, after finding her guilty of driving while intoxicated under the influence of several drugs.  It was her fourth DWI conviction.

At long last, it appears that law and order is breaking out in the small town of Teneha in Shelby County.  A number of lawsuits against Teneha and Shelby County officials have been certified as "Class Action." This means any person who has been victimized by Teneha police can be a plaintiff in a Class Action lawsuit against the officials.

Texas has a reputation for being tough on criminals.  It's known around the world for having the busiest "Death Row" in the United States.  Now, for better or worse, Texas is also known for treating young school children like criminals.