NOS. 12-24-00143-CR

 12-24-00144-CR

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

TYLER, TEXAS

PAUL ANTHONY ASHFORD, JR., 

APPELLANT

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS,

APPELLEE

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APPEAL FROM THE 87TH 

JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS

MEMORANDUM OPINION

PER CURIAM

Paul Anthony Ashford, Jr. pleaded “guilty” to indecency with a child by sexual contact

and aggravated sexual assault of a child as a lesser included offense of sex abuse of a child, 

continuous victim under fourteen. In accordance with the agreed punishment recommendation, 

the trial court sentenced Appellant to twenty years in prison for the indecency offense and thirty 

years in prison for aggravated sexual assault. Appellant appealed.

The clerk’s record has been filed and the trial court’s certifications state that this is a plea 

bargain case, and the defendant has no right of appeal. The certifications are signed by

Appellant and his counsel. See TEX. R. APP. P. 25.2(d). The clerk’s record does not otherwise 

indicate that the trial court gave Appellant permission to appeal.

When the defendant is the appellant, the record must include the trial court’s certification 

of the defendant’s right of appeal. Id. This Court must dismiss an appeal “if a certification that 

shows the defendant has the right of appeal has not been made part of the record.” Id. Based on 
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our review of the record, the trial court’s certifications appear to accurately state that these are

plea bargain cases and Appellant has no right to appeal. See Dears v. State, 154 S.W.3d 610 

(Tex. Crim. App. 2005) (holding that court of appeals should review record to determine whether 

trial court’s certification is accurate). Because the trial court did not grant Appellant the right to 

appeal, we dismiss the appeals.

Opinion delivered June 12, 2024. Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.

(DO NOT PUBLISH)
COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

JUDGMENT 

JUNE 12, 2024 

NO. 12-24-00143-CR

PAUL ANTHONY ASHFORD, JR., 

Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, 

Appellee

Appeal from the 87th District Court 

of Anderson County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 87CR-22-35663) 

THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record; and the same being 

considered, it is the opinion of this Court that this appeal should be dismissed. 

It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED by this Court that 

this appeal be, and the same is, hereby dismissed; and that this decision be certified to the court 

below for observance.

By per curiam opinion. 

Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J. and Neeley, J
COURT OF APPEALS

TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

JUDGMENT 

JUNE 12, 2024 

NO. 12-24-00144-CR

PAUL ANTHONY ASHFORD, JR., 

Appellant 

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, 

Appellee

Appeal from the 87th District Court 

of Anderson County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 87CR-22-35692) 

THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the appellate record; and the same being 

considered, it is the opinion of this Court that this appeal should be dismissed. 

It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED by this Court that 

this appeal be, and the same is, hereby dismissed; and that this decision be certified to the court 

below for observance.

By per curiam opinion. 

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