Villarreal v. Texas
Issues
Does a trial court’s order that prevents a defendant and their attorney from discussing the defendant’s ongoing testimony during an overnight recess violate the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel?
This case asks the Supreme Court to decide whether a trial court may bar defense counsel from discussing a defendant’s ongoing testimony during an overnight recess. Villarreal argues that this restriction violates the Sixth Amendment right to counsel and the attorney-client privilege. Texas counters that the restriction is a qualified order that does not infringe on constitutionally protected communications. The outcome of this case has profound implications for the fairness of trials and defendants’ testimony.
Questions as Framed for the Court by the Parties
Does a trial court’s order that prevents a defendant and their attorney from discussing the defendant’s ongoing testimony during an overnight recess violate the defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel?
David Asa Villarreal was on trial for allegedly murdering his live-in boyfriend, Aaron Estrada. Brief for Petitioner, David Asa Villarreal at 3;
Additional Resources
- Cara Salvatore, Top Court to Weigh Limits on Atty-Client Talks During Recess, Law360 (April 7, 2025).
- Debra Cassens Weiss, Supreme Court Will Consider Scope of Sixth Amendment Right to Counsel During Trial Recess, ABA Journal (April 15, 2025).
- Ryan T. Fenn and Lee M. Cortes, Jr., SCOTUS to Decide Whether Prohibition on Defendants Discussing Ongoing Testimony With Counsel During an Overnight Recess Violates the Sixth Amendment, Arnold & Porter (April 16, 2025).