By Karen Villarreal

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – MARCH 5, 2026 – Although the Texas Supreme Court typically holds oral arguments in Austin, all nine justices gathered for the first time at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg on Thursday, March 5.

Co-presented by the State Bar of Texas Litigation and Appellate Sections, nearly 1,000 attendees participated in the historic event at the Performing Arts Complex, where the court discussed two cases affecting the Rio Grande Valley. 

UTRGV President Guy Bailey welcomed the judges and community members, emphasizing the educational significance of this occasion for university and K-12 students. 

“Watching a court preside over oral arguments is a rare thing indeed, and I believe this is the largest audience in the state of Texas to hear oral arguments,” Bailey said. “I hope it sparks your curiosity, deepens your understanding of the justice system and encourages you to imagine what you can do later in life.” 

Hundreds of students from various Rio Grande Valley public schools attended the court session in Edinburg. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock highlighted the importance of taking the court’s proceedings across the state, allowing Texans to see their highest court in action.  

“Our job is to provide equal justice under the law in every part of our great state,” Blacklock said. “We are grateful to UTRGV for hosting the proceedings and to all those who worked hard to make this trip possible.” 

A LEARNING OPPORTUNITY 

The public audience included more than 700 public school students from across the Rio Grande Valley, who attended the oral arguments for the following cases: 

• Texas General Land Office v. Save RGV, Cameron County v. Save RGV, Paxton v. Save RGV: This consolidated case questions whether a citizens’ group may challenge a statute authorizing the closure of public beaches as unconstitutional.
• State v. City of McAllen: The case addresses the constitutionality of Senate Bills 1004 and 1152 under the Texas Constitution’s Gift Clauses.  

Daisy Barrera, a forensic science teacher at McAllen ISD, emphasized her mock trial team's enthusiasm for learning opportunities, including using facilities in the new Hidalgo County courthouse. She noted how exposure to court proceedings can empower her students.

“They know they can do this if they apply themselves. They can be the ones advocating in a court if they put their passion into it,” Barerra said. 

Mia Moreno, a 12^th grade student from McAllen ISD, said that witnessing the arguments reaffirmed her interest in law.   

“I’m part of my school’s mock trial team, and I want to become a civil rights attorney,” she said. “It was very interesting seeing their arguments flow and the judges’ rebuttals.” 

Gael Alonzo, a senior at Lamar Academy, said he learned a lot from how the judges and attorneys conducted themselves in front of such a large crowd.

“I loved the way the supreme court justices responded to both sides and I thought the attorneys represented themselves very well,” Alonzo said. “It was informational and very important conversations.” 

The case argued before the court, Ken Paxton v. SaveRGV, Sierra Club, and Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, Inc., concerns a Texas law that allows temporary closures of Boca Chica Beach during rocket launch and testing activities conducted by SpaceX. Plaintiffs, including SaveRGV, the Sierra Club, and the Carrizo/Comecrudo Nation of Texas, argue the statute violates public access protections under the Texas Constitution, while Ken Paxton, representing the state, defends the law. The arguments were allotted 20 minutes per side before the justices. (UTRGV Photo by Silver Salas)

VAQUEROS IN LAW 

UTRGV pre-law advisor Dr. William Gordon also encouraged his students to attend, as the justices’ last visit to Edinburg occurred in 2001 at legacy institution The University of Texas Pan American. He urged them to consider the complex legal questions that make these appeals necessary.  

“It’s important for the community to witness this dispensing of justice by the Supreme Court of Texas in reviewing lower appellate courts,” said Gordon, a lecturer in the department of Political Science. “This right, or privilege, to appeal a lower court decision is an indispensable part of our state’s judicial system.” 

Miracle Linea Sanchez, a senior philosophy major on the pre-law track and an usher at the event, was able to hear the arguments that she had read up on beforehand and even got to shake hands with the justices.  

“I really appreciated how the court handled letting the attorneys speak, going back and forth and understanding each other. The mutual respect was very appreciated, especially given what each party could lose or gain,” Sanchez said. 

A few students participated in a question-and-answer session following the arguments, asking about the hypothetical questions posed by the court, maintaining constitutional standards during live debates, and advice for pursing a legal career.  

Ian Alexander Alfaro, UTRGV Student Government Association (SGA) vice president, took the opportunity to advocate for a UTRGV law school.

“Our student body senate passed legislation that officially recognized the need for a law school here in the Rio Grande Valley,” said Alfaro, a pre-law student. “It was an honor to put it out there that we’re ready; we have a lot of ambitious students who want to become lawyers.”