Impact of Recent Supreme Court Decisions on Texas – Trends, Policies, and Future Predictions
Supreme Court decisions affect trends, policies, and subsequent court decisions. Since it is the highest court, decisions made at the Supreme Court cannot be challenged further; hence, they become binding. Some areas where Supreme Court rulings include the LGBTQ discourse, abortion debate, and voting rights. Rulings made at the court influence policy and set precedents for future decisions.
In March 2022, the Supreme Court made a decision that cemented the Texas abortion ban for pregnancy beyond six weeks. The case, argued by the Center for Reproductive Rights, challenged the abortion ban. However, the court’s decision implied that the state’s licensing officials do not have the authority to take enforcement measures for those who violate the ban (Diamondstein, 2022). The decision left the case without defendants since the state left enforcement to ordinary citizens and was thus thrown out. The abortion ban in Texas remains active to date.
Another US Supreme Court decision that significantly impacted policy in Texas revolves around death row. Areli Escobar, a death row convict, sought relief from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals after it emerged that the evidence used to convict him was unreliable (Death Penalty Information Center, 2023). The forensic evidence that linked him to the murder scene was from the Austin Police Department Crimes lab, a facility closed for controversy. Although the Appeals Court denied him relief, the US Supreme Court granted relief (Death Penalty Information Center, 2023). The Supreme Court decision set the precedence regarding a review of death row convictions, giving hope to the wrongfully convicted.
The future of the Supreme Court may not be predicted. However, if the recent appointments are something to go by, it is becoming increasingly conservative. Conservatives have prevailed in 62% of the court’s decisions in the current term (Totenberg, 2022). As long as the court’s constitution remains as it is currently, decisions on gun laws, abortion, and death row will lean toward conservative positions.
There are various actions courts in Texas may implement to improve justice delivery and influence public policy. First, the courts should adopt evidence-based research and consult experts before pronouncing themselves on matters of public concern. Besides, the courts should adopt impact assessment, which will give a hint into how courts’ decisions affect marginalized communities.
References
Death Penalty Information Center. (2023, January 13). Supreme Court Reverses Texas Court Decision Based on Prosecutor’s Admission About Flawed Forensic Evidence. Death Penalty Information Center. https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/news/supreme-court-reverses-texas-court-decision-based-on-prosecutors-admission-about-flawed-forensic-evidence
Diamondstein, M. (2022, March 11). Texas Supreme Court Ruling Effectively Ends Federal Court Challenge to State’s Abortion Ban. Center for Reproductive Rights. https://reproductiverights.org/texas-abortion-ban-texas-supreme-court-ruling-whole-womans-health-jackson/
Totenberg, N. (2022, July 5). The Supreme Court is the most conservative in 90 years. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/07/05/1109444617/the-supreme-court-conservative
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Question 
How have Supreme Court decisions in recent years affected trends, policies, or court decisions in the state of Texas?
Impact of Recent Supreme Court Decisions on Texas – Trends, Policies, and Future Predictions
What do you predict for the future of the Supreme Court? Which research and program evaluation practices can courts use to improve justice and influence public policy in your area?