Featured Articles

Dissension in the Third Court

Don Cruse
September 02, 2008 15:45

This blog doesn’t usually discuss criminal cases, few of which fall within the Texas Supreme Court’s jurisdiction. But a recent case out of the Third Court raises some broader issues about appellate practice. That case is Ex parte Colyandro, in which former House Speaker Tom DeLay and...

Recent Articles

CVSG in a Texas Supreme Court case about parental-termination orders

Don Cruse
March 16, 2012 15:08

With today’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court requested the views of the Texas Solicitor General in a case about the constitutionality of a Texas [...]With today’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court requested the views of the Texas Solicitor General in a case about the...

Four decisions, two grants, and another rehearing wish is granted [Mar. 9, 2012]

Don Cruse
March 12, 2012 19:20

With Friday’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court issued four decisions, granted two petitions for argument this fall, and granted rehearing of one previously denied [...]With Friday’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court issued four decisions, granted two petitions for argument this...

Takings by pipelines for private use (still not permitted); Petition about shareholder oppression gets a second chance [Mar. 2, 2012]

Don Cruse
March 02, 2012 17:10

All the action on this week’s orders list involved motions for rehearing. The Court granted rehearing of two cases that it had previously declined to review, [...]All the action on this week’s orders list involved motions for rehearing. The Court granted rehearing of two cases that it...

Another vexing question about medical-expense evidence in Texas

Don Cruse
February 27, 2012 17:48

Over at Reverse and Render, Hilaree Casada has written about a new issue in the wake of Haygood v. Escabedo, No. 09-0377. In Haygood, the Court [...]Over at Reverse and Render, Hilaree Casada has written about a new issue in the wake of Haygood v. Escabedo, No. 09-0377. In Haygood, the Court...

Landmark Texas water rights case may lead to future takings claims or legislative fixes: Edwards Aquifer v. Day [Feb. 24, 2012]

Don Cruse
February 24, 2012 18:05

With today’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court issued one long-awaited decision about water rights in Texas. It did not grant any other cases [...]With today’s orders list, the Texas Supreme Court issued one long-awaited decision about water rights in Texas. It did not grant any...

New class action says all appellate briefs and trial papers are copyrighted

Don Cruse
February 23, 2012 00:57

If legal publishers can't resell appellate briefs and pleadings without offending copyright, can courts give them away?In 2009, I wrote about “Who owns your appellate briefs?” At the time, I was annoyed at being asked to file an extra unbound paper copy of a brief to be mailed to a...

El Paso mayor recall-election appeal is on a fast track… to somewhere

Don Cruse
February 20, 2012 14:51

On the Friday before this holiday weekend, the El Paso Court of Appeals issued its decision in a hotly contested local election case. The [...]On the Friday before this holiday weekend, the El Paso Court of Appeals issued its decision in a hotly contested local election case. The background was a...

This month in tea leaves: Are opinion releases now on a regular schedule?

Don Cruse
February 17, 2012 17:30

When I started this blog, it seemed like every Friday orders list brought the possibility of a new opinion. To be sure, the odds did not [...]When I started this blog, it seemed like every Friday orders list brought the possibility of a new opinion. To be sure, the odds did not seem even. Weeks...

SCOTX denies review in the Mike Leach case; grants review in two others

Don Cruse
February 17, 2012 15:45

If you rationalize your time watching ESPN as a way to supplement your legal news — and believe me, I’ve been there — you will [...]If you rationalize your time watching ESPN as a way to supplement your legal news — and believe me, I’ve been there — you will be...