Texas appeals court blocks Paxton's reporting requirements for urban prosecutors

Who's involved

• Ken PaxtonAttorney General
• John CreuzotDallas County Criminal District Attorney
• Fifteenth Court of AppealsState appellate court
• Travis County district courtLower court that issued initial ruling

The facts

• Fifteenth Court of Appeals affirmed a Travis County district court ruling prohibiting Paxton from requiring prosecutors to turn over confidential information.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• Paxton announced new reporting rules for prosecutors in counties with populations of 400,000 or more in March 2025.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• The new rules applied to 13 counties including Dallas, Harris, and Bexar counties.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• District attorneys in Harris and Bexar counties sued Paxton several weeks after the rules were announced.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources
• The rules would have required prosecutors to turn over extensive data, internal policies, correspondence, case files, and confidential victim and witness information.^{1 2} Stated by 2 sources

Who said what

These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.

• Ken Paxton New rules would help citizens determine if prosecutors were inadequately prosecuting crimes or releasing dangerous criminals.^{1 2}
• John Creuzot Rules overextended Paxton's powers, encroached on judiciary, and placed unnecessary burden on prosecutors.^{1 2}
• John Creuzot Failure to comply could have unlawfully exposed elected prosecutors to removal from office.^{1 2}