A legislation currently simmering in the Texas House and Senate would change bail and bond regulations for criminals charged with serious offenses including capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated sexual assault and sexual abuse of a child is a step in the right direction to fix alarming homicide by felonies rates in Houston, according to Crime Stoppers of Houston Director of Victim Services Andy Kahan.
Each legislative session is alike – and unique in its own way. This session is more unique than most. A slow, eerie start because of the pandemic and extra security due to the January breach at the U.S. Capitol produced a Texas Capitol that was empty and quiet rather than crowded and bustling, as is usual during session. And there is only one operational entrance rather than four, with heavily armed national guardsmen and DPS officers everywhere. Things are getting somewhat back to normal now, but only somewhat.
The Harris County Civil Court reported the following activities in the suit brought by Scott Allen Elliot against Texas Department of Public Safety on April 14.
AUSTIN – Marshall A. Bowen has joined Butler Snow’s Austin, Texas, office and will practice with the firm’s appellate and commercial litigation groups, in addition to governmental relations.
GALVESTON — The 14th Court of Appeals determined there was no merit to claims made by a beach-cleaning company in Galveston that Turtle Island Restoration Network (TIRN) defamed the company when it reported violations to their beach cleaning permit.
AUSTIN – The Texas Access to Justice Commission, with its co-sponsor the State Bar of Texas, honored veterans throughout the state at the Virtual 2021 Champions of Justice Gala Benefiting Veterans.
AUSTIN – A number of tort reform measures were heard yesterday by Texas House members, including bills on public nuisance, loser pays and paid or incurred.
AUSTIN – The parties accused of orchestrating climate change “lawfare” against the energy sector are feigning shock that their attempts to chill speech and commandeer public policy could be subjected to personal jurisdiction in Texas courts, ExxonMobil argues in a recently filed brief.
HOUSTON — The American Bar Association filed an amicus brief Monday, contending that the bail system in Dallas County, Texas, which allows pretrial release only if the defendant pays a specific amount of bail money, violates the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the 14th Amendment.
AUSTIN – Bad news for families that love to get around on golf carts. Attorney General Ken Paxton has opined that the Transportation Code prohibits operation of motor vehicles on public streets without a driver’s license.
HOUSTON — Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee filed a lawsuit Thursday in California state court against e-cigarette company JUUL and several of its executives.
As the border crisis caused by President Biden’s policies surges illegal immigration and escalates criminal activity, Attorney General Ken Paxton stands committed to upholding the law and protecting Texans.
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton has led a 14-state coalition before the U.S. Supreme Court in defense of the “public-charge” rule, a federal law prohibiting immigration by aliens who are likely to rely on taxpayer-funded government programs.
SOUTH PADRE ISLAND – On appeal, food truck vendors wanting to set up shop in South Padre Island are arguing the city’s efforts to keep them out are unconstitutional.
SAN ANTONIO - When Thomas Kelly, 59, drove by his parent’s home on Enid Street near Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio, he didn’t expect to see two of his father’s military uniforms flapping in the wind on the front lawn.
A group of California cities and counties are waging a legal battle in California state court against ExxonMobil and 17 other Texas-based energy companies. The municipalities allege that the companies are engaging in activities that have caused or are causing an imminent rise in sea levels, and seek billions of dollars in damages from the companies, allegedly to address this risk.
A pair of bills making their way through the Texas Legislature will bring much-needed and sensible reforms to a litigation system run amuck. House Bill 19 and its companion in the Senate aim to rein in excessive lawsuits that deliver big paydays for lawyers while threatening jobs for one of the state’s most important industries, and driving up insurance rates for everyone else.
