In Texas, criminal law is not just for criminals anymore -at least not criminals as they have traditionally been defined. Pending legislation would criminalize everything from failure to recycle any piece of electronics equipment to placing a business sign on a rural road, and even leaving a dog tethered to a tree for a total of eight hours in a 24-hour period. The blurring of civil and criminal law is not a novel development in Texas, but rather part of a national trend.
Second chances make communities safer and the state’s workforce stronger
April is Second Chance Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the numerous harmful collateral consequences of a criminal conviction and unlock opportunities for people impacted by the criminal justice system. This month is a reminder of the importance of removing those barriers while we continue to advance evidence-based policies that can safely lower...