Texas Lawyers Miscited Cases in Hair Length Policy, Judges Say

An error-riddled brief plagued lawyers for a Black man suspended from his Texas high school over his hair length during oral arguments Wednesday, with two Fifth Circuit judges hinting at possible sanctions.

Judges Don Willett and Jerry Smith peppered attorneys Joseph Plumbar and Allie Booker for more than 10 minutes about quotes in a December brief that don’t exist in three cases they cited to back up their position that the district’s hair policy is discriminatory.

Plumbar acted as if he wasn’t aware of the mishap before conceding he learned of it when the school district flagged it in February. ...