Melissa Goodwin

I had the privilege of “judging” the 2021 TYLA State Moot Court Competition, via Zoom. Hey Texas, we’ve got some bright young future lawyers about to come on the scene!

The word of the day: “Oftener,” which is the comparative form of often.

Used in a sentence: “Furthermore, no city charter shall be altered, amended or repealed oftener than every two years.” Tex. Const. art. XI, § 5.

Thank you to the Home Rule clause of the Texas Constitution for adding a new word to my vocabulary.

Thank you to the State of Texas for an amazing job that requires me to learn something new every day.

And if you were wondering, yes, I am a law nerd — some days it shows more than others.

Whew that was nerve racking - but it’s done. And I’m glad to know that the timer was the spotlight.

Third Court of Appeals holding our first remote oral argument on Zoom. You can watch it live at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHh91c6f79r2EAmlBH4T63g?view_as=subscriber

Today’s Texas Criminal Pattern Jury Charge Meeting is brought to you by Zoom, Adobe, Apple & Coffee....

Judges’ meeting April 2, 2020. Our new normal!

With the start of a new year, the Texas Pattern Jury Charge Committee is starting a new version of Crimes Against Persons & Property Volume. It’s a big task, but we’re up for it!

Today’s agenda, regretfully, includes some of the more utilized charges. On a brighter note it concludes Crimes Against Persons & Property!

Hays GOP had a sold out summer picnic. And what a great time we had too! I was honored to host a group of Texas State YCT students - had a fun chat with Sheriff Gary Cutler and so many others! Great job, all!

Back to reality - Texas Pattern Jury Charges are back on the agenda.

And today’s debate: whether to define “corroborative” when the statute requires evidence that is “strongly corroborative” yet provides no guidance on what that phrase means.