Texas 10th Court of Appeals to hear three criminal cases at the Blinn RELLIS Administration Building at Texas A&M-RELLIS

Annual visit allows Blinn students and the public to witness the law in action, meet judges, and ask questions

October 30, 2024

The Blinn College District invites students and the public to witness precedent-setting appellate cases when the Texas 10^th Court of Appeals holds session in the Blinn RELLIS Administration Building on Wednesday, Nov. 6.

The court will convene at 10 a.m. in the third-floor banquet room, providing attendees the opportunity to see the legal process in action, meet judges, and participate in a question-and-answer session. Now in its 12 ^th year, the annual event is coordinated by the Blinn Paralegal and Legal Assistant Program and the Legal Assistant Student Organization.

The docket includes three criminal cases:

• 10 a.m. – Qualon Deshon Weaver v. The State of Texas

This case involves a high-speed chase following a traffic stop. The appellant claims he fled out of fear, citing prior negative interactions with law enforcement.

• 11 a.m. – The State of Texas v. Wade Jonathan Breaux

In this case, a suspected drunk driver’s arrest is being challenged. The appellee contends the arresting officer entered a home without a warrant after obtaining consent from a 12-year-old child.

The court will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. for:

• Terry Terrell Brown v. The State of Texas

Brown, charged with failure to identify during a traffic stop, is appealing his misdemeanor conviction and fine, arguing that he provided a pseudonym instead of his legal name.

Each case is expected to last 50 minutes. At noon, the judges will host a public question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask about the judicial process. The public is welcome to attend any individual argument or the entire session.

“I’m excited to return to Texas A&M-RELLIS for such a wonderful educational experience,” Chief Justice Tom Gray said. “This visit will showcase some interesting cases and I look forward to taking the law out of the courtroom to engage with the Blinn students and the community as a whole.”

No video, audio recordings, or photographs will be allowed in the courtroom while court is in session but the proceedings will be livestreamed on the Court’s YouTube channel. Individuals attending the session must wear appropriate attire, power off or silence electronic devices, and are not allowed to bring food or beverages.

The Texas 10 ^th Court of Appeals, consisting of Gray and Justices Matt Johnson and Steve Smith, is based in Waco and hears approximately 400 civil and criminal appeals a year from 18 counties in Central Texas, including Brazos County.

After arguments are heard, the justices will return to Waco, where they will research the legal issues and precedents, then issue a written opinion.

“This event is extremely beneficial to our students because a real, functioning courtroom becomes their classroom for the day,” Paralegal Program Department Head Robert Stanberry said. “Our students and the public immerse themselves in these cases and gain a unique perspective into the complexities of how the appellate court system works.”

For more details regarding the cases, visit www.txcourts.gov/10thcoa.

To learn more about Blinn’s Paralegal and Legal Assistant Program, visit www.blinn.edu/paralegal.