Texas

Texas judge reprimanded for showing handgun during argument

A Texas justice of the peace has received a public reprimand for showing his gun in an argument over his driving speed.

Oct 1, 2020 10:52 AM CDT

Judges remain skeptical of GOP ballot fraud arguments; litigation keeps rules in flux

Judges have been “broadly skeptical” of GOP arguments of voter fraud, according to a Washington Post review of nearly 90 state and federal voting lawsuits.

Sep 29, 2020 3:54 PM CDT

Bar exam in hotel rooms offered test-takers social distancing and private bathrooms

Among the many worries for people taking recent in-person bar exams during the COVID-19 pandemic, some were logistical: How could they maintain social distancing during the test? Would public restrooms be germ magnets? Could they safely eat with others? Hotel rooms could be the answer to those concerns.

Sep 22, 2020 1:56 PM CDT

Assistant attorney general loses job after reports surfaced of racist social media posts

An assistant attorney general in Texas lost his job last week after reports surfaced that he referred to Black Lives Matter protesters as “terrorists” and promoted the QAnon conspiracy theory on Twitter.

Sep 8, 2020 10:28 AM CDT

Insurers rack up early wins in lawsuits over COVID-19 ‘business interruption’ coverage

Court decisions on "business interruption" coverage are so far favoring insurers as they fight claims for lost income during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sep 2, 2020 1:11 PM CDT

In opinion by Trump appointee, 5th Circuit upholds firing of DA employee over political differences

A Texas district attorney did not violate the First Amendment when he fired the coordinator of his crime victims unit because of political disagreements, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at New Orleans has ruled.

Aug 31, 2020 9:47 AM CDT

New judge will hear Tennessee man’s murder appeal after first judge said he prefers Texas law

A new judge will hear a Tennessee defendant’s appeal of his murder conviction after the first judge described the state’s post-conviction process as a game and said he prefers Texas procedures.

Aug 28, 2020 1:28 PM CDT

Which appeals court is most likely to grant qualified immunity to police?

An analysis of qualified immunity cases in federal appeals courts shows significant disparities in grants of qualified immunity to police officers in excessive force cases.

Aug 25, 2020 12:17 PM CDT

Panel questions whether lawyer has a ‘fully functioning ethical compass’

A panel of three judges has ordered the federal court suspension of a criminal defense lawyer after a federal magistrate judge concluded she lied about sending text messages to a drug defendant during an intimate relationship before his arrest.

Aug 24, 2020 1:40 PM CDT

With scholarship ruse, law school assistant dean of admissions is accused of stealing $74K

Edward Rene, the former assistant dean of admissions at Texas Southern University's Thurgood Marshall School of Law, was charged Monday with theft by a public servant, for allegedly stealing almost $74,000 from the school.

Aug 11, 2020 2:00 PM CDT

Will Roberts opinion ‘eviscerate abortion rights’? 8th Circuit cites new standard

Abortion restrictions should be evaluated under a new approach as a result of a June opinion by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., a federal appeals court said Friday.

Aug 10, 2020 12:07 PM CDT

Texas bar president promises plan to address divisions created by his Black Lives Matter posts

Larry McDougal, president of the State Bar of Texas, has until Sept. 24 to outline his plan to address divisions created by his online posts.

Jul 30, 2020 3:44 PM CDT

US brief opposes lawyer who objected to border searches of his cellphone

The federal government is opposing a Texas immigration lawyer’s request for an injunction to prevent warrantless border searches of his electronic devices.

Jul 28, 2020 3:30 PM CDT

Afternoon Briefs: Suit filed for immigrant children detained at hotel; ill judge doesn’t have to sign reelection papers

Lawsuit filed for immigrant children detained at Hampton Inn A lawyer with the Texas Civil Rights Project was forced out of a Hampton Inn hotel in McAllen, Texas, where he was investigating an Associated Press claim that children were being secretly held there before their deportation, according to a video…

Jul 27, 2020 4:58 PM CDT

Judge says BigLaw firm essentially called him stupid in ‘astounding’ display of ‘effrontery’

U.S. District Judge Sam Lindsay of the Northern District of Texas slammed Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher and its co-counsel Wednesday for calling his interpretation of an arbitration clause “nonsensical.”

Jul 23, 2020 3:11 PM CDT