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Matthew T. Hinterlong, the relator, sought mandamus relief against a trial court's order denying his motion to compel discovery of a student informant's identity. The informant's tip led to Hinterlong's expulsion from Arlington Martin High School (AMHS) for alleged alcohol possession. Hinterlong contended that the crime stoppers privilege did not apply or was unconstitutional as applied. The Court of Appeals determined that while the AMHS program qualified as a crime stoppers organization and the tip was privileged, the absolute application of the privilege in this civil case violated the Texas Constitution's open courts provision, especially given Hinterlong's acquittal and prima facie evidence of being 'set up'. Consequently, the court conditionally granted the mandamus, directing the trial court to conduct an in camera review of the tipster's information under Texas Rule of Evidence 508 to balance anonymity with Hinterlong's right to redress.
in Re Matthew T. Hinterlong is a workers' compensation case decided in Texas Court of Appeals, 2nd District (Fort Worth). This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Texas Court of Appeals, 2nd District (Fort Worth).
Full Decision Text1 Pages
Matthew T. Hinterlong, the relator, sought mandamus relief against a trial court's order denying his motion to compel discovery of a student informant's identity. The informant's tip led to Hinterlong's expulsion from Arlington Martin High School (AMHS) for alleged alcohol possession. Hinterlong contended that the crime stoppers privilege did not apply or was unconstitutional as applied. The Court of Appeals determined that while the AMHS program qualified as a crime stoppers organization and the tip was privileged, the absolute application of the privilege in this civil case violated the Texas Constitution's open courts provision, especially given Hinterlong's acquittal and prima facie evidence of being 'set up'. Consequently, the court conditionally granted the mandamus, directing the trial court to conduct an in camera review of the tipster's information under Texas Rule of Evidence 508 to balance anonymity with Hinterlong's right to redress.
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