Court Opinion

ID: 9775516
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:01:25.642664+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:27.611431
License: Public Domain

BAIRD, Judge,
concurring.
Because extraneous conduct is frequently involved in criminal trials, we should take this opportunity to provide as much guidance as possible to the trial courts and the parties in future cases where the notice provision of Tex.R.Crim.Evid. 404(b) is involved. Because the majority opinion does little to clarify the issue, I am writing separately.
Rule 404(b) provides:
Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show that he acted in conformity therewith. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident, provided, upon timely request by the accused, reasonable notice is given in advance of trial of intent to introduce in the State’s case in chief such evidence other than that arising in the same transaction.
To make an adequate request under Rule 404(b) the better practice is for the defendant to file a document entitled “Rule 404(b) Request for Notice of Intent to Offer Extraneous Conduct” and to timely serve the State with a copy of the request. In this situation, the defendant is not re*40quired to obtain a ruling from the trial judge. However, if the request is made within a discovery motion, the defendant is compelled to obtain a ruling because the State need not comply with the requests in a discovery motion until the trial judge orders compliance. Finally, a motion in limine is insufficient to invoke the notice provisions of Rule 404(b). Gonzales v. State, 685 S.W.2d 47, 50 (Tex.Cr.App.1985).
In the instant case, the request was within a discovery motion never ruled upon by the trial judge. Moreover, appellant’s motion in limine was insufficient. Therefore, the majority correctly concludes appellant’s request was inadequate to invoke the notice provisions of Rule 404(b).
With these comments, I concur in the judgment of the Court.