Court Opinion

ID: 3096694
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 04:40:35.311681+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:35:46.041941
License: Public Domain

NO. 07-12-0407-CV

                            IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

                       FOR THE SEVENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                  AT AMARILLO

                                    PANEL A

                                OCTOBER 9, 2012
                        ______________________________

                       IN RE RICHARD E. GAMBLES, RELATOR

                       _________________________________

                             ORIGINAL PROCEEDING 
         ARISING OUT OF PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE 364[TH] DISTRICT COURT 
              OF LUBBOCK COUNTY; NOS. 96-422700 & 96-422701; 
                     HONORABLE BRADLEY S. UNDERWOOD, JUDGE
                        _______________________________

Before CAMPBELL and HANCOCK and PIRTLE, JJ.
                              MEMORANDUM OPINION
	Relator, Richard E. Gambles, proceeding pro se and in forma pauperis, seeks a writ of mandamus to compel the "Judge of Presiding Court" and "Clerk" to file, process and rule on a motion for chapter 64 forensic DNA testing.  For the reasons expressed herein, we deny Relator's request for relief.  He contends he submitted a motion for DNA testing on September 17, 2012 and asserts that over thirty days has passed without obtaining a ruling.  The date of this opinion disputes his contention.

                          Mandamus Standard of Review
Mandamus relief is an extraordinary remedy.  In re Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., L.P., 235 S.W.3d 619, 623 (Tex. 2007) (orig. proceeding).  "Mandamus issues only to correct a clear abuse of discretion or the violation of a duty imposed by law when there is no other adequate remedy by law."  Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding) (quoting Johnson v. Fourth Court of Appeals, 700 S.W.2d 916, 917 (Tex. 1985)) (orig. proceeding).  
                                   Analysis
Initially, we address Relator's failure to comply with all of the mandatory requirements of Rule 52.3 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.  See generally Tex. R. App. P. 52.3(a) - (k).  Most importantly, he has failed to name a respondent.  See Tex. R. App. P. 52.3(a) & (d)(2).  We deduce that the respondent is the Honorable Bradley S. Underwood from copies of correspondence dating back to 2002 which are included as exhibits to his petition.  Relator has also failed to include a certified or sworn copy of the motion for DNA testing with his petition as required by Rule 52.3(k)(1)(A).  A party proceeding pro se is not exempt from complying with rules of procedure.  See Mansfield State Bank v. Cohn, 573 S.W.2d 181, 184-85 (Tex. 1978).  Relator has not provided this Court with a sufficient record to determine whether he is entitled to mandamus relief against a judge.  See Walker, 827 S.W.2d at 837.  See also In re Bates, 65 S.W.3d 133, 135 (Tex.App. -- Amarillo 2001, orig. proceeding).
Assuming, arguendo, that Relator's petition substantially complied with Rule 52.3, not enough time has lapsed from the time the motion was allegedly filed to demand a ruling.  When a motion is properly pending before a trial court, the act of considering and ruling upon the motion is a ministerial act.  Eli Lilly and Co. v. Marshall, 829 S.W.2d 157, 158 (Tex. 1992).  However, the trial court has a reasonable time within which to perform that ministerial duty.  Safety-Kleen Corp. v. Garcia, 945 S.W.2d 268, 269 (Tex.App. -- San Antonio 1997, orig. proceeding).  Whether a reasonable period of time has lapsed is dependent on the circumstances of each case.  Barnes v. State, 832 S.W.2d 424, 426, (Tex.App. -- Houston [1st Dist.] 1992, orig. proceeding).  
                 Mandamus Proceeding Against A District Clerk
This Court has the authority to issue writs of mandamus against a judge of a district or county court in our district and all writs necessary to enforce our jurisdiction.  Tex. Gov't Code Ann. § 22.221(b) (West 2004).  In order for a district clerk to fall within our jurisdictional reach, it must be established that the issuance of the writ of mandamus is necessary to enforce our jurisdiction.  In re Coronado, 980 S.W.2d 691, 692-93 (Tex.App. -- San Antonio 1998, no pet.).  Relator has not demonstrated that the exercise of our mandamus authority against an unnamed district clerk is appropriate to enforce our jurisdiction.  Consequently, we have no jurisdiction to entertain Relator's request.
                                  Conclusion
	Relator's petition for writ of mandamus is denied.

							Patrick A. Pirtle
							      Justice