NO. 12-21-00088-CR

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

EX PARTE:

EDWARD COLEMAN, JR.,

RELATOR

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ORIGINAL PROCEEDING

MEMORANDUM OPINION

PER CURIAM

Edward Coleman, Jr., acting pro se, filed an application for writ of habeas corpus with 

this Court, in which he contends his right to a speedy trial has been violated in trial court cause 

number 2021-0035, currently pending in the trial court.1

The Texas Government Code provides as follows:

Concurrently with the supreme court, the court of appeals of a court of appeals district in which a 

person is restrained in his liberty, or a justice of the court of appeals, may issue a writ of habeas 

corpus when it appears that the restraint of liberty is by virtue of an order, process, or commitment 

issued by a court or judge because of the violation of an order, judgment, or decree previously

made, rendered, or entered by the court or judge in a civil case.

TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 22.221(d) (West Supp. 2020). Thus, the original jurisdiction of courts 

of appeals to issue a writ of habeas corpus is limited to those cases in which a person’s liberty is 

restrained because the person violated an order, judgment, or decree entered in a civil case. Id. 

Consequently, courts of appeals do not have original habeas corpus jurisdiction in criminal law 

matters. In re Ayers, 515 S.W.3d 356 (Tex. App.–Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, orig. proceeding). 

Because Relator seeks habeas relief in a criminal proceeding, we are without jurisdiction to 

consider his application. Accordingly, we dismiss his application for want of jurisdiction. See

Ex parte Sampson, No. 12-17-00227-CR, 2017 WL 3225061 (Tex. App.—Tyler July 31, 2017, 

1 Respondent is the Honorable Robert K. Inselmann, Jr., Judge of the 217th District Court in Angelina 

County, Texas. The State of Texas is the Real Party in Interest.
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orig. proceeding) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (per curiam); see also In re Baugh, 

No. 12–09–00122–CR, 2009 WL 1687630 (Tex. App.–Tyler June 17, 2009, orig. proceeding)

(mem. op., not designated for publication) (per curiam).

Opinion delivered June 30, 2021.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.

(DO NOT PUBLISH)
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COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

JUDGMENT

JUNE 30, 2021

NO. 12-21-00088-CR

EDWARD COLEMAN, JR.,

Relator

V.

HON. ROBERT K. INSELMANN, JR.,

Respondent

ORIGINAL PROCEEDING

ON THIS DAY came to be heard the application for writ of habeas corpus filed 

by Edward Coleman, Jr.; who is the relator in appellate cause number 12-21-00088-CR and the 

defendant in trial court cause number 2021-0035, pending on the docket of the 217th Judicial 

District Court of Angelina County, Texas. Said application for writ of habeas corpus having 

been filed herein on June 11, 2021, and the same having been duly considered, because it is the 

opinion of this Court that it lacks jurisdiction, it is therefore CONSIDERED, ADJUDGED and 

ORDERED that the said application for writ of habeas corpus be, and the same is, hereby 

dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

By per curiam opinion.

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J. and Neeley, J.