Travis County Judge

They don't preside over court cases like a Supreme Court justice or Judge Judy. And the position is arguably not as high profile as a mayor or governor. But they do have a lot of power.

For years, the county has been trying to give defendants access to lawyers at their first hearings in jail. Staffing shortages and, now, privacy concerns may kill that effort.

Commissioners heard hours of testimony against the proposal, which would cost roughly $79 million, before voting to hold off on the design plan for the jail — or any facility.

Grupos de activistas están pidiéndole al condado de Travis que deseche sus planes para construir una nueva cárcel para mujeres y que mejor use esos fondos para promover alternativas a la encarcelación.

Activist groups are calling on Travis County commissioners to scratch plans for a new women's jail and instead invest in alternatives to mass incarceration.

Lee esta historia en español. Republicans in Travis County will try to win one of the most powerful positions in local government this fall: county judge.…

Lee esta historia en español. Local attorney and activist Andy Brown will be the Democratic nominee for Travis County judge in the November election.…