The latest Texas Supreme Court news from The Texas Tribune.
Former Empower Texans leader Michael Quinn Sullivan has challenged a $10,000 fine from the Texas Ethics Commission for failure to register as a lobbyist for more than 10 years at nearly every level of the state court system. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3b88d2722bee9e11faf4b2402216caed/0523%20GOP%20Convention%20EH%20TT%2025.jpg)
For the first time since Texas outlawed nearly all abortions, lawmakers are clarifying the “life of mother” exception. But they don’t plan to address cases where the fetus won’t survive. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/36fecc7871aca432d6d451b3e24dd817/0407%20Lethal%20Fetal%20Anomalies%20LW%2002.jpg)
Gov. Greg Abbott will have the opportunity to appoint Boyd’s replacement, furthering his influence on the high court. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/16e2202123249fedf4cd2db3c5bd880b/1029%20SCOTX%20at%20UH%20DS%20TT%2031.jpg)
Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock embraced constitutional originalism, a judicial philosophy tied to conservatism, in addressing the Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/08f29d592627d2ee5b25950b3cce994b/0226%20State%20of%20the%20Judiciary%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
Here’s how federal courts help determine the fate of controversial issues, such as immigration laws, in Texas and beyond. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/19a63bed1539f703a95e129e3fbe68db/0609%20Fed%20Courthouse%20File%20JT%2004.jpg)
The court’s ruling could boost a state law that allows drunk driving victims to sue businesses that over-serve alcohol to intoxicated individuals. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/68bf3c2d3f121d9fd226edf1377ba9f9/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2003.jpg)
Blacklock replaces Nathan Hecht, the longest serving justice on the high court. Gov. Greg Abbott also appointed his general counsel, James Sullivan, to the bench. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f60236493478a75ab8f30d9fc569cc00/1029%20SCOTX%20at%20UH%20DS%20TT%2026.jpg)
Southern Methodist University in Dallas tried to declare its independence after the church voted to ban gay weddings and clergy in 2019. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/462bba8a65ca277bc2bf6e1871ece62f/SMU%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Over 35 years, Hecht modernized the court, increased access to justice for the poor and saw his conservative views come to dominate the bench. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/140c956559d80adb25f4778e366f48af/0405%20SOT%20Judiciary%20LS%20TT%2003.jpg)
John Devine, Jane Bland and Jimmy Blacklock won their reelection bids over Democrat challengers backed by groups that support expanding abortion access. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/870a3610e491e82a6fa55637e920b8d2/SCOTX%20REUTERS%202024%20TT.jpg)
Texans voted in several races, including for the President, a U.S. Senator, U.S. House members and more. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cee833ece5864b951197996025c3ba9a/Elect24-GeneralElectionResults-Lead-v1.png)
After the attorney general insisted on the death row inmate’s guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/a6ce7ff9d32129597a385e7f0000afe3/0523%20GOP%20Convention%20EH%2040.jpg)
Three Republican incumbents are being targeted for their role in recent abortion rulings by a new Democratic political action committee. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/32d2332ad37f1bec45ce077d81a16588/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2002.jpg)
Texas voters will elect officials in the presidential, congressional, statewide and legislative races. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/d83439d4aa8a76f3fe6e6c373fd674ec/Elect24-GeneralBallot-Lead-v1-Ballot.png)
Parents and medical providers of transgender adolescents sued Texas, challenging the constitutionality of a restriction on puberty blockers and hormone therapy. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/9cbca4f0c8e29067e2cc1fee7c977b15/Texas%20Supreme%20Court%20MG%20TT%2009.jpg)
The Texas Supreme Court is considering taking up the question of whether frozen embryos should be treated as people, not property, in a divorce case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/ea6e18ac94cde6112bb66268f3d50bcf/Frozen%20Embryos%20REUTERS%20TT%2001.jpg)
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging the program, saying it violates the Texas Constitution. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/dacb3c47e3e64b4e8b64e29f2a08293e/Ken%20Paxton%20File%20MF%20TT%2007.jpg)
Justice John Devine’s comments at a conservative event are the latest to prompt concerns about his impartiality as a jurist. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/2410465f1c44e7c342a439ae945b3277/SCOTX%202013%20BD%20TT%2001.jpg)
Get The Texas Tribune’s coverage of election results for the 2024 primary races for president, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and the Texas Legislature. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b49a105bc31822201b16eb2a73dd7d77/Elect24-Stickers-v2.png)
Two decades ago, John Devine worked with the law firm of Paul Pressler and Jared Woodfill, later defendants in a Southern Baptist abuse case. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e878a1638c587e153b7f1da3c5ed530/Justice%20John%20Devine%20REUTERS.JPG)