Last year, Shelley Luther, a Dallas salon owner was fined and jailed for violating the then-new Covid-19 guidelines ordering non-essential businesses to close according to an article from The Texan from last week. In it they say:

“Luther rocketed to national recognition last year when a Dallas County judge ordered her detainment after she defied state and local closure orders by continuing to operate her business.

In reprimand, District Judge Eric Moyé ordered Luther to pay a $7,000 fine and spend a week in jail. To avoid that punishment, Moyé demanded a halt of the salon’s operation and an apology from Luther for defying the orders. That demand was refused and Luther spent two days in confinement before the SCOTX ordered her release pending review of the case.”

Now, her fine and jail time have been ruled void according to a CHRON article from April 9th. In it they say:

“Months before COVID-19 cases surged to record highs last year, Shelley Luther was fighting to keep her Dallas salon open despite safety guidelines. She had torn up a cease-and-desist order from Dallas County, and soon was fined $7,000 and sentenced to seven days in jail.

Almost a year later, the Texas Supreme Court concluded Friday morning that the county’s order was too vague to enforce, and voided the order holding her in contempt of court.”

Governor Greg Abbott has now backdated an order from last year correcting it so that it now says that covid violators should not be jailed.