Sunday, August 28, 2016

Texas Anti-SLAPP Law Does Not Protect Free Exercise Rights

In Davis v. Mount Gilead Baptist Church, (TX App., Aug. 25, 2016), a Texas state appellate court held that Texas' anti-SLAPP statute-- designed to prevent the use of frivolous suits to chill speech rights-- only applies to suits filed in response to defendant's exercise of free speech, right of petition or right of association.  It does not apply to suits that respond to free exercise of religion.