House Bill 328 would amend Penal Code §39.03 governing official oppression, a Class A misdemeanor. Under the bill, the offense would become a third-degree felony if the conduct “consists of the intentional or knowing suppression of evidence favorable to a defendant and material to the defendant’s guilt or punishment in a criminal trial.”

For whatever reason, some defendants prefer to have their disputes heard in federal court. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that legal-malpractice cases are best left to state courts. And Senior U.S. District Judge Royal Furgeson told Baker Botts on April 12 that its dispute is no exception.

A federal judge has rejected an effort to force the Department of Motor Vehicles board of directors to approve issuance of specialty license plates bearing the Confederate battle flag.

Ken Anderson “consciously chose to impair the availability of the exculpatory evidence so that he could obtain the conviction of Mr. Morton for murder,” wrote 213th District Judge Louis Sturns, who presided over the court of inquiry.

In another example of how difficult it is to overturn an arbitration award in federal court, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed and remanded a vacatur. West Short of Georgetown represents the defendants in the disputed video game licensing case.