Court Opinion

ID: 9761108
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 01:31:50.172203+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:20.162948
License: Public Domain

GONZALEZ, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. Given the adversarial nature of trial proceedings and the variety of strategies and styles of advocacy, we should not penalize a prevailing party that has vigorously prosecuted or defended his case within the parameters of the rules.
Good cause under Tex.R.Civ.P. 141 is such an elusive concept that it is impossible to judge whether a particular trial strategy has caused an unnecessary increase in costs without second guessing trial counsel. There are other remedies, such as contempt of court or a complaint to a disciplinary committee, that are available to a trial judge who wishes to punish an attorney who acts in an improper manner.
I would hold that punitive assessment of costs against a prevailing party that engaged in trial tactics within the rules is an abuse of discretion.