What a day for the Court of Criminal Appeals. I recommend you go the court's website and read yesterday's opinions: http://www.cca.courts.state.tx.us/.

They told a judge she can't order DNA testing after denying a DNA motion, re-affirmed that a notice of appeal following a guilty plea must follow the rules, affirmed the legislative authority to write rules of procedural default, knocked out another silly DWI defensive claim, affirmed a few death penalty cases, and turned down a whole lot of writs.

While there were dissenting opinions, they were not divisive or abusive. The majority opinions explained themselves coherently and professionally.

In short, the Court of Criminal Appeals looks like it is in the best shape it has ever faced.

John Bradley
District Attorney
Williamson County, Texas