The trial is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Sept. 5 in the Texas Senate.
What you need to know
The Texas Senate released rules for public access to the trial on Aug. 22.
The third-floor Senate Gallery, located on the east side of the Capitol, will be open to the public throughout the trial. All attendees must have a ticket to enter, the document states.
Each day of the trial will be split into a morning and afternoon session. Tickets are required for each session and will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Senate staff will pass out tickets at 7:30 a.m. daily, and the doors will open at 8 a.m. for the morning session. Afternoon tickets will be available 45 minutes before the gallery reopens, according to the guidelines.
Except for two sections for journalists and a “Senate section,” seating in the gallery will be open.
Ticket holders will not be allowed to bring food, beverages or cameras into the gallery. Cellphones and other electronic devices must be turned off or set to vibrate. No “talking, clapping or demonstrations” will be allowed, and attendees must remain seated, the rules state.
Violators will be removed from the gallery and not allowed back in that day.
Texans watching the trial from home can tune in to an online livestream, according to the overarching trial rules, which were adopted in June.
How we got here
Paxton is accused of bribery, conspiracy, misuse of public funds, retaliation against former employees and more. The Texas House adopted 20 articles of impeachment against him with a 121-23 vote on May 27, setting the stage for the Senate trial.
Following the House vote, the third-term Republican was immediately suspended from his official duties without pay. Senators will decide whether he should remain in office or be immediately removed and barred from running from other state roles.
Angela Colmenero is the interim attorney general. She is the second person appointed to the interim position since Paxton’s impeachment.
Dick DeGuerin, Rusty Hardin and Harriet O’Neill will prosecute Paxton on behalf of the House. Tony Buzbee and Dan Cogdell will lead the team defending the attorney general, which includes Chris Hilton and Judd Stone, two employees on leave from the attorney general’s office.
All official documents for the court of impeachment will be posted here.
