Texas Judicial Commission Sanctions Retiring Fannin County Judge Over Campaign Misconduct
The Texas Judicial Conduct Commission publicly admonished Fannin County Judge Laurine Blake for ethical violations during a 2024 judicial race, citing misuse of office to support one candidate and disparage another.
Texas Follows Federal Lead in Banning DEI Policies Across Government Agencies
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has issued Executive Order GA-55, directing all state agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies that use race, ethnicity, or other protected characteristics as a factor in decision-making. The executive order follows a similar federal directive issued by President Donald Trump on January 21, 2025, titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination […]
Comal County Facebook Group at Center of Defamation Lawsuit
Jessie Rahe has filed a defamation lawsuit in the District Court of Comal County, Texas, against Scott Moon and a group of unnamed individuals (John Does 1-10) over statements made in a Facebook group. Rahe alleges that Moon falsely claimed she used a sexual harassment complaint to obtain her position as Comal County Auditor. She […]
Who Oversees Off-Duty Deputies? Fayette County’s Security Contracts Spark Legal Review
On January 27, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued Opinion No. KP-0479, addressing questions raised by Fayette County Auditor Cindy Havelka about the legal authority of the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to enter into contracts for off-duty security work. The opinion was requested following concerns that the Sheriff’s Office had engaged in contracts […]
Are QR Code Citations Legal? Texas Attorney General Weighs In
On July 25, 2024, Texas State Senator Donna Campbell, Chair of the Senate Committee on Nominations, submitted a formal request for an Attorney General opinion regarding the use of QR codes on traffic violation cards to satisfy specific legal requirements under the Texas Transportation Code, Sections 543.003 and 543.004. The request, formally designated as RQ-0552-KP, […]
TCOLE 2024: 772 Arrest Notifications, 215 Reprimands, and Compliance Failures Explained
In 2024, the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) processed 772 arrest notifications involving licensed peace officers, jailers, and telecommunicators across Texas. These notifications, known as E-1 reports, are a cornerstone of TCOLE’s system for monitoring misconduct and maintaining accountability in law enforcement. They provide critical data on arrests, charges, and disciplinary actions within the […]
“Don’t F* With Me”: Texas Judge Faces Backlash for Courtroom Behavior
In a striking case of judicial overreach and misconduct, the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct has issued a public admonition and mandated additional education for Judge Stephen Rogers of the 268th District Court in Richmond, Fort Bend County. The disciplinary action comes after a series of contentious incidents in the courtroom, culminating in findings […]
Burnet Judge Leaves Office Amid Scandal and Reinstated Charges
Former Burnet County Judge James Oakley officially stepped down from office on January 2, 2025, following a series of high-profile scandals that marred his tenure. Oakley’s resignation comes in the wake of a public reprimand by the Texas State Commission on Judicial Conduct (SCJC) and the reinstatement of criminal charges by the Texas Third Court […]
Conservative Activist Alleges Retaliation by Harris County DA in Lawsuit
Conservative activist Steven Hotze sues Harris County DA Kim Ogg, alleging retaliation, constitutional violations, and misuse of legal processes to silence him.
Galveston County Sheriff Battles TCOLE Allegations
On January 1, 2025, James “Jimmy” P. Fullen took the oath of office as the new Sheriff of Galveston County. However, the ceremony was overshadowed by ongoing legal challenges. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) has filed a civil lawsuit questioning Fullen’s ethics and seeking to revoke his peace officer license, a case that […]