The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals issued three opinions from Feb. 27-March 5. The Texas Supreme Court issued one opinion from Feb. 27-March 5. Both courts are the state’s courts of last resort. As of March 5, the court of criminal appeals issued 66 opinions in 2023—26 more than this point a year ago. The supreme court issued 15 opinions as of March 5, 2023—eight fewer than this point a year ago. The four opinions are below:
- Helena Chemical Co. v. Cox (Opinion)
- CASTILLO, ARIEL OSVALDO Appeal from 186th District Court of Bexar County (original per curiam)
- CASTILLO, ARIEL OSVALDO Appeal from 186th District Court of Bexar County (original per curiam)
- DELACRUZ, ISIDRO MIGUEL Appeal from 119th District Court of Tom Green County (original by judge mcclure iii)
From Feb. 27-March 5, state supreme courts issued 135 opinions nationally. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued the most with 39. Supreme courts in 19 states issued the fewest with zero. Courts where judges are elected have issued 83 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 52.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court are the state’s courts of last resort. The former is the state’s court of last resort for criminal matters, while the latter is the state’s court of last resort for civil matters; both have nine judgeships. Sharon Keller and Nathan Hecht are the current chiefs of the criminal and supreme courts, respectively. Combined, the courts issued 413 opinions in 2022 and 536 in 2021. Nationally, state supreme courts issued 9,243 opinions in 2022 and 10,133 in 2021. The courts have issued 1,361 opinions in 2023. Courts where judges are elected have issued 864 opinions, while courts whose members are appointed have issued 497. Texas is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
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