Texas Court Blocks AG Paxton's Data Collection Rule for District Attorneys

A Texas appeals court has ruled that Attorney General Ken Paxton lacks the authority to enforce a controversial rule requiring district attorneys in populous counties to submit extensive prosecutorial data. The 15th Court of Appeals' decision follows a temporary injunction issued by a Travis County judge, which halted the enforcement of the rule that would have mandated district attorneys to provide terabytes of information, potentially straining their resources. The rule, affecting only 13 counties with populations over 400,000, has faced backlash from district attorneys who argue it violates constitutional protections and burdens their offices unnecessarily. The case is now sent back to district court for further proceedings.

Key Details: • The appeals court ruling was made on May 16, 2025. • The rule would have required quarterly reports on various prosecutorial subjects, starting June 30. • The law applies only to counties with populations over 400,000, impacting 13 counties in Texas. • District attorneys from El Paso and Travis counties are among those suing to block the rule.