The latest courts news from The Texas Tribune.
After Shelley Luther was jailed for opening her salon in blatant defiance of emergency orders, top Texas Republicans in all three branches of government scrambled to ensure her release. Full Story
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State and local governments are at odds over what should and should not be allowed during a pandemic — a debate over health, economics and civil liberties. The old sparring partners have increasingly appealed to a referee: the courts. Full Story
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Paxton's office said that there could be litigation if cities do not pull back coronavirus restrictions related to masks, sheltering in place and religious services. Full Story
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In a series of tweets and a public statement, Paxton said eligibility for absentee voting has not been expanded. But a state judge's order says otherwise. Full Story
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In their suit, a group of Texas voters and civic organizations claim that four Texas absentee voting rules are unconstitutional during a public health crisis. Full Story
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton said the seven-day jail sentence was excessive. Paxton called for her immediate release. Full Story
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The voters — all between the ages of 18 and 28 — want the courts to rule that the state's age restriction for voting by mail, which limits eligibility to those 65 and older, violates constitutional protections. Full Story
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The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, is alleging that a provision in the $2.2 trillion stimulus package known as the CARES Act that denies the benefit to mixed-status families in unconstitutional. Full Story
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The suit claims Hidalgo has exceeded her authority by implementing orders more restrictive than those of Gov. Greg Abbott, which take precedence. Full Story
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The high court did not weigh in on the arguments that Gov. Greg Abbott's order went beyond his executive powers in a disaster. Instead, it ruled that the Harris County judges were the wrong plaintiffs. Full Story
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The ruling temporarily halted a lower court's order that was handed down after inmates at a geriatric prison sued the Texas prison system over its handling of the coronavirus. Full Story
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In March, Gov. Greg Abbott barred all procedures not “immediately medically necessary,” and the state’s attorney general declared that the restriction applied to abortions — sparking a weekslong court fight and prompting some women to seek abortions out of state. Full Story
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The appeals court's latest ruling comes after abortion providers and state officials have battled over what access to the procedure should be allowed during the public health crisis. Full Story
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On Friday, a state district judge blocked enforcement of Abbott's order, which prohibits jail release for some inmates without paying bail during the coronavirus pandemic. She cited unconstitutional provisions and executive overreach as reasons for her order. Full Story
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The governor's order prohibited judges from releasing some inmates without paying bail. The lawsuit filed Wednesday argued it violated the constitutional separation of powers and discriminated against poor defendants. Full Story
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The courts volleyed back and forth this week, siding in turns with the state and then with abortion providers. But clinics across the state are responding inconsistently, with some shutting down altogether while they await a final answer. Full Story
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Abortion providers said the latest ruling from the federal appeals court leaves abortion "largely inaccessible" in Texas. Full Story
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In his second rebuke to state officials, U.S. District Judge Lee Yeakel ruled Thursday that certain patients may undergo abortions as Texas battles the new coronavirus. Full Story
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Misdemeanor judges and criminal defense organizations argue the governor's order unconstitutionally oversteps his authority over judges and creates a wealth-based detention system. It's the second court challenge to the order. Full Story
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Republican state officials have said barring the procedure in almost all cases is essential for preserving hospital resources during the pandemic. Abortion providers call it political opportunism — and unconstitutional. Full Story
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