A trial commenced on Thursday in Anahuac, Texas, to determine if the Barbers Hill school district in Texas can continue to discipline a Black high school student, Darryl George, for refusing to change his hairstyle that is protected under the CROWN Act. The issue revolves around whether the school district's dress code, which limits the length of boys' hair, violates the state law prohibiting race-based hair discrimination. The CROWN Act, effective since September, bans race-based hair discrimination and protects hairstyles such as Afros, braids, locs, twists, or Bantu knots.

The trial, presided over by State District Judge Chap Cain III, quickly moved to closing arguments after a few hours of arguments and testimonies. Darryl George and his mother, Darresha George, expressed hope for a favorable outcome, allowing him to return to regular classes. The mother stated, "We're going to get justice today. I'm nervous but I'm happy."

Attorneys for the school district argued that their dress code is consistent with the CROWN Act and is race-neutral. However, the student's attorney, Allie Booker, called only two witnesses, Darresha George and Democratic state Rep. Ron Reynolds. Reynolds, one of the co-authors of the CROWN Act, testified that while hair length was not explicitly discussed, it was implied in the nature of certain styles.

Darryl George, an 18-year-old junior at Barbers Hill High School, has been out of his regular classroom since August 31 due to his hairstyle. The school district contends that his tied and twisted locs violate the dress code policy by exceeding certain length limits. The district argues that its policy does not breach the CROWN Act as the law does not address hair length.

The George family has taken legal action beyond the trial, filing a formal complaint with the Texas Education Agency and a federal civil rights lawsuit against Governor Greg Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton, as well as the school district. This lawsuit is currently before a federal judge in Galveston. Previously, the school's hair policy faced a legal challenge in a federal lawsuit in May 2020. Two students withdrew, while one returned after court intervention, citing potential violations of his free speech and protection from racial discrimination rights if he was not reinstated.