Designated for publication Ramirez, J. (Jones, Stewart, Ramirez), Jones, J., dissenting in part (oral argument); criminal, sentencing Affirming in part and reversing in part sentence on conspiracy charges, and remanding for resentencing. Trayvon Murphy was a member of a New Orleans street gang led by co-defendant Julius Alexander. Murphy pleaded guilty—without a plea agreement—to conspiracy … More July 22-23, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (en banc), immigration, die process, en banc In relation to the en banc rehearing of the July 2 opinion affirming that immigrants’ due process rights were violated by detention more than 90 days without bond hearings, which rehearing was ordered quickly on the heels of the panel opinion, on July … More July 21, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Stewart, Willett, Wilson) (no oral argument), Stewart, J., dissenting in part; mandamus, appellate jurisdiction, voluntary dismissal, school desegregation Dismissing appeal for lack of jurisdiction over judgment that was entered after voluntary dismissal of school desegregation case, and granting mandamus vacating post-dismissal judgment. This school-desegregation case had been pending for more … More July 13-15, 2026, decisions
Designated for publication Willett, J. (Higginson, Willett, Engelhardt) (oral argument at original panel stage), preemption, taking, Contracts Clause Granting petition for panel rehearing and substituting for February 9, 2026, panel opinion, affirming summary judgment for Louisiana on pharmaceutical companies’ and trade group’s challenge to Louisiana statute on drug purchases. Pharmaceutical manufacturers AbbVie, AstraZeneca, and trade … More July 1-7, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Smith, J. (Smith, Graves, Engelhardt) (oral argument), habeas corpus, First Amendment, ineffective assistance of counsel Affirming denial of habeas relief. Irving Davis raped and murdered 15-year-old Melissa Medina in 2001, cutting off her fingertips to prevent DNA identification. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death; the Texas Court of … More June 25-26, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (King, Higginson, Wilson) (no oral argument), False Claims Act, settlement agreement Affirming district court’s judgment enforcing oral settlement agreement reached at mediation of False Claims Act claim. The United States sued Dr. Dongxin Ma and Ma Acupuncture PC under the False Claims Act for allegedly submitting approximately $1.3 million in … More June 15, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Higginson, J. (Haynes, Higginson, Ho) (oral argument withdrawn), § 1983, sovereign immunity, supplemental jurisdiction Affirming as dismissal of § 1983 claims against Texas DOT as subject to sovereign immunity; and affirming declination to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over state-law claims, though modified to be a dismissal without prejudice. John Gannon, Inc. owned billboards … More June 12, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication Duncan, J. (King, Higginson, Duncan) (no oral argument), tax law Affirming tax court’s judgment upholding imposition of estate-tax liability and assessment of 20% negligence penalty. As Anne Milner Fields’s health rapidly declined in 2016 due to end-stage Alzheimer’s, her great-nephew and agent Bryan Milner transferred approximately $17 million of her assets into … More June 8, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (Smith, Haynes, Oldham) (no oral argument at motion stage), Haynes, J., concurring in order only (w/o op.); First Amendment, vagueness, injunctions Granting defendant Texas’s motion for stay of preliminary injunction pending appeal regarding SB 2420, which placed age and parental-guidance regulations on app stores and in-app purchases. The Texas Legislature … More June 4, 2026, opinions
Designated for publication per curiam (en banc: Elrod, Stewart, Richman, Southwick, Haynes, Graves, Higginson, Douglas, Ramirez, JJ., voting against rehearing; Jones, Smith, Willett, Ho, Duncan, Engelhardt, Oldham, Wilson, JJ., voting for rehearing) (oral argument at panel stage); election law, standing, sovereign immunity, en banc Denying rehearing en banc of December 31, 2025, panel opinion (Richman, … More June 1, 2026, opinions
