Texas Court of Appeals, 15th District, 2025

Ken Paxton, in His Official Capacity as Attorney General for the State of Texas and the Office of the Attorney General for the State of Texas v. Delia Garza, in Her Official Capacity as Travis County Attorney; John Creuzot, in His Official Capacity as Dallas County Criminal District Attorney; And Brian Middleton, in His Official Capacity as District Attorney of Fort Bend County (268th Judicial District)

Texas Court of Appeals, 15th District · Decided July 18, 2025

Opinion

ACCEPTED 15-25-00116-CV FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS AUSTIN, TEXAS 7/18/2025 3:49 PM No. 15-25-00116-CV CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE CLERK RECEIVED IN In the Court of Appeals for the Fifteenth 15th COURT OF APPEALS Judicial District – Austin, Texas AUSTIN, TEXAS 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE KEN PAXTON, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF Clerk TEXAS AND THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPELLANT, V. DELIA GARZA, IN HER OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS THE TRAVIS COUNTY ATTORNEY, ET AL.; JOHN CREUZOT, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS DALLAS COUNTY CRIMINAL DISTRICT ATTORNEY, ET AL.; AND BRIAN MIDDLETON, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF FORT BEND COUNTY (268TH DISTRICT COURT), ET AL., APPELLEES.

LETTER BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE THE TEXAS CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION AARON M. DIAZ KYLE THERRIAN Co-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee Co-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee St. Mary’s University School of Law Rosenthal, Kalabus & Therrian 2507 NW 36th Street 7200 State Highway 121, Ste 400 San Antonio, Texas 78228 McKinney, Texas 75070 P: (210) 436-3840 F: (210) 431-5700 P: (972) 369-0577 F: (972) 369-0572 [email protected] [email protected] SBN 24108453 SBN 24075150 ANNE BURNHAM Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube Vice-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee President, TCDLA Harris County Public Defender’s Office Hochglaube & DeBorde P.C.

1310 Prairie Street, 4th Floor 3515 Fannin Street Houston, Texas 77002 Houston, Texas 77004 P: (713) 274-6907 F: (713) 368-9278 P: (713) 526-6300 F: (713) 808-9444 [email protected] [email protected] SBN 00798088 SBN 00787344 INTEREST OF AMICUS CURIAE The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA) is a nonprofit voluntary membership organization. It is dedicated to the protection of those individual rights guaranteed by the State and federal constitutions and the constant improvement of the administration of criminal justice in the State of Texas.

Founded in 1971, TCDLA currently has a membership of over 3,700 and offers a statewide forum for criminal defense lawyers. It provides a voice in the state legislative process in support of procedural fairness in criminal defense and forfeiture cases. TCDLA also assists the courts by acting as amicus curiae in appropriate cases.

Neither TCDLA nor any attorney representing TCDLA has received any fee or other compensation for preparing this brief.

This brief complies with all applicable provisions of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. Copies have been served on all parties to the cause.

TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE FIFTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS— AUSTIN, TEXAS: The Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Amicus Curiae, respectfully submit this letter brief in support of Appellees and joining Amicus Curiae Urban Criminal Defense Attorneys against Unconstitutional Recentralization of Texas Government (UCDA).

On July 7, 2025, Amicus UCDA filed its brief in support of Appellees.

TCDLA avers that Amicus UCDA has adequately and thoroughly briefed the historical origin of Texas Government Code § 41.006. As such, TCDLA adopts by reference the arguments presented by Amicus UCDA.

TCDLA is aware that this Court granted an emergency stay and set this case for submission and oral argument for September 24, 2025. For the reasons asserted by Amicus UCDA, TCDLA urges this Court to deny the relief sought by Appellant’s interlocutory appeal.

Respectfully submitted.

AARON M. DIAZ KYLE THERRIAN Co-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee Co-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee St. Mary’s University School of Law Rosenthal, Kalabus & Therrian 2507 NW 36th Street 7200 State Highway 121, Ste 400 San Antonio, Texas 78228 McKinney, Texas 75070 P: (210) 436-3840 F: (210) 431-5700 P: (972) 369-0577 F: (972) 369-0572 [email protected] [email protected] SBN 24108453 SBN 24075150

ANNE BURNHAM Nicole DeBorde Hochglaube Vice-Chair, TCDLA Amicus Committee President, TCDLA Harris County Public Defender’s Office Hochglaube & DeBorde P.C.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE I certify the foregoing Letter Brief complies with Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(2)(B), and contains 288 words according to the word count of the computer program used to prepare this document.

By: /s/Aaron M. Diaz AARON M. DIAZ

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE I certify that on July 18, 2025, a true and correct copy of the foregoing Letter Brief was served on all counsel of record through electronic service on the same date, to the following email addresses: Jacob C. Beach ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL OF TEXAS Email: [email protected] & William H. Farrell OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL Email: [email protected] Attorneys of Record for Appellant Ken Paxton ______ Leslie W. Dippel TRAVIS COUNTY ATTORNEY Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellees Travis County Attorney Delia Garza; Travis County District Attorney José Garza; and Travis County, Texas ______ Bernardo Cruz El Paso COUNTY ATTORNEY Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellees El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya; El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez; and El Paso County, Texas ______

Alexandria Oberman MILLER & CHEVALIER CHARTERED Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellees Dallas Co. Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot, and Dallas County, Texas; & Appellees Bexar Co. Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzales; and Bexar County, Texas ______ Bradley W. Snead WRIGHT CLOSE & BARGER, L.L.P. Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellees Harris Co. District Attorney Sean Teare; and Harris County, Texas ______ Justin C. Pfeiffer GAVRILOV & BROOKS, PC Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellee Fort Bend Co. District Attorney Brian Middleton ______ Randy T. Leavitt LAW OFFICE OF RANDY T. LEAVITT Email: [email protected] Attorney of Record for Appellee Williamson Co. District Attorney Shawn Dick

By: /s/Aaron M. Diaz AARON M. DIAZ

Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.

The filer served this document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below. The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate of service that complies with all applicable rules.

Aaron Diaz Bar No. 24108453 [email protected] Envelope ID: 103331751 Filing Code Description: Other Brief Filing Description: Amicus Curiae Brief Status as of 7/18/2025 4:21 PM CST Case Contacts Name BarNumber Email TimestampSubmitted Status Christopher Garza 24078543 [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Cynthia Veidt 24028092 [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Christina Sanchez 24062984 [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Jonathan Fombonne 24102702 [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT William FCole [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Nicole A.Myette [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Tiffany Bingham 24012287 [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Nancy Villarreal [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT William Farrell [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Joshua Woods [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bradley W.Snead [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Michael Adams-Hurta [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Jacob Beach [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Ben Mendelson [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Cynthia W.Veidt [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Alexandria Oberman [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Katharine Tafuri [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT William H. Farrell [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Leslie W. Dippel [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Todd A. Clark [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Cynthia W. Veidt [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Jonathan G.C. Fombonne [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.

Aaron Diaz Bar No. 24108453 [email protected] Envelope ID: 103331751 Filing Code Description: Other Brief Filing Description: Amicus Curiae Brief Status as of 7/18/2025 4:21 PM CST Case Contacts Jonathan G.C. Fombonne [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Tiffany S. Bingham [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Christopher Garza [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Justin C. Pfeiffer [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Christina Sanchez [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bernardo Rafael Cruz [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT C. RobertHeath [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Randy T. Leavitt [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Alexandria Oberman [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Michael J. Statin [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Laura G. Ferguson [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT William H. Farrell H.Farrell [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Michael J.Satin [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Laura G.Ferguson [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Leslie W.Dippel [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Leslie W.Dippel [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bradely W.Snead [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bernardo Cruz [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bernardo Cruz [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Bernardo Cruz [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Alexandria Oberman Oberman [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Alexandria Oberman [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Alexandria Oberman [email protected] 7/18/2025 3:49:30 PM SENT Automated Certificate of eService This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system.

Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.