Ex Parte Dolenz

OPINION

BAKER, Justice.

This is an original habeas corpus proceeding. The 160th District Court of Dallas County, Texas found relator violated the court’s discovery sanction order. The trial court held relator in contempt for not paying almost $15,000 in discovery costs assessed against relator for discovery abuse. The trial court ordered relator incarcerated in the county jail until he purged himself of the contempt by paying the discovery costs.

We hold the Texas Constitution prohibits the trial court from enforcing the discovery costs award by jailing relator and conditioning his release upon…