Latest Case: Day v. Texas (Constitutional Law)

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Day v. Texas

Docket: PD-0955-19

Opinion Date: December 16, 2020

Judge: Newell

Areas of Law: Constitutional Law, Criminal Law

Appellant Jonathan Day fled after being told that he was under arrest and that there was an active arrest warrant out for him. He was charged with and convicted of evading arrest or detention. The court of appeals found the evidence insufficient to prove that the attempted arrest or detention was “lawful.” It held that while Appellant’s initial detention might have been justified, his continued detention, during which Appellant fled after police discovered an outstanding arrest warrant for him, was not. The court of appeals reversed the conviction and ordered an acquittal. After review, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the court of appeals' judgment because a jury could have rationally found the officer’s attempted arrest or detention was lawful in light of the outstanding warrant.