Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Texas’ highest criminal court strikes down a provision of Open Meetings Act as ‘constitutionally vague’

2019-02-27T18:03:41-06:00

By Emma Platoff The Texas Tribune Originally published Feb. 27, 2019 In a major blow to the state’s government transparency laws, Texas’ highest criminal court has struck down a significant provision of the Texas Open Meetings Act, calling it “unconstitutionally vague.” That law, which imposes basic requirements providing for public access to and information about governmental meetings, makes it a crime for public officials to “knowingly [conspire] to circumvent this chapter by meeting in numbers less than a quorum for the purpose of secret deliberations.” That provision aims to keep public officials from convening smaller meetings — without an official quorum [...]

Texas’ highest criminal court strikes down a provision of Open Meetings Act as ‘constitutionally vague’2019-02-27T18:03:41-06:00

Texas court tosses out ‘improper photography’ law as a free speech violation

2014-09-17T18:16:17-05:00

By Chuck Lindell Austin American-Statesman Originally published Sept. 17, 2014 The state’s highest criminal court on Wednesday tossed out a state law banning “improper photography” — photos or videos taken in a public place without consent and with the purpose of sexual gratification — as a violation of free-speech rights. In an 8-1 ruling, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said photos, much like paintings and films, are “inherently expressive” and therefore protected by the First Amendment. “Protecting someone who appears in public from being the object of sexual thoughts seems to be the sort of paternalistic interest in regulating the defendant’s [...]

Texas court tosses out ‘improper photography’ law as a free speech violation2014-09-17T18:16:17-05:00
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