With dozens of bills filed to enhance criminal penalties, lawmakers should consider many key factors involving justice, deterrence, and prioritization of resources that are outlined in this checklist before deciding to increase criminal penalties.
Criminal Justice
License plate readers can aid police — but Texas needs guardrails
Earlier this summer, two Texas law enforcement agencies announced investigations involving the alleged misuse of Flock Safety’s automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. In Fort Bend County, a sheriff’s lieutenant admitted to conducting repeated searches unrelated to official law enforcement duties nearly 200 times. Shortly thereafter, Baytown Police opened internal affairs and criminal investigations into allegations that an...
August 19, 2026