The warrants apply only within state lines, making them largely symbolic as most of the legislators in question decamped to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts.
These are civil arrest warrants that authorize Texas law enforcement agencies to arrest the absent lawmakers and bring them directly to the state capitol chambers. There is no criminal charge, and no jail.
That type of warrant is not something you can get extradition on in another state. And it’s not something where the feds can get involved either, because it’s a matter of state sovereignty. If a Texas Ranger attempts to arrest someone in Chicago, they’re going to find out very fast which state government has sovereignty over Chicago, and it’s not Texas.
These types of arrest warrants have happened before?
Yes. Most recently in 2021.
These are civil arrest warrants that authorize Texas law enforcement agencies to arrest the absent lawmakers and bring them directly to the state capitol chambers. There is no criminal charge, and no jail.
That type of warrant is not something you can get extradition on in another state. And it’s not something where the feds can get involved either, because it’s a matter of state sovereignty. If a Texas Ranger attempts to arrest someone in Chicago, they’re going to find out very fast which state government has sovereignty over Chicago, and it’s not Texas.
Sounds like the Civil War never ended in Texas.