Court Opinion

ID: 3089273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 03:39:19.792447+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:41:11.464189
License: Public Domain

The State of TexasAppellee

                            Fourth Court of Appeals
                                   San Antonio, Texas
                                         October 2, 2014

                                       No. 04-14-00177-CR

                                      Alejandro Leal PENA,
                                            Appellant

                                                 v.

                                      The STATE of Texas,
                                            Appellee

                 From the 218th Judicial District Court, Atascosa County, Texas
                               Trial Court No. 12-090168-CRA
                          Honorable Donna S. Rayes, Judge Presiding

                                         ORDER
       Appellant's brief, due September 10, 2014, has not been filed. This court notified
appellant's counsel of the deficiency on September 15, 2014. TEX. R. APP. P. 38.8(b)(2). We
have received no response.

       Pursuant to rule 38.8(b)(2) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, we abate this case
to the trial court and ORDER the trial court to conduct a hearing to answer the following
questions:

       (1) Does appellant desire to prosecute his appeal?

       (2) Is appellant indigent? If appellant is indigent, the trial court shall take such measures
as may be necessary to assure the effective assistance of counsel, which may include the
appointment of new counsel.

        (3) Has appointed or retained counsel abandoned the appeal? Because sanctions may be
necessary, the trial court should address this issue even if new counsel is retained or substituted
before the date of the hearing.

The trial court may, in its discretion, receive evidence on the first two questions by sworn
affidavit from the appellant. The trial court shall, however, order the appellant’s counsel to be
present at the hearing.
        The trial court is further ORDERED to file supplemental clerk’s and reporter’s records
in this court, no later than October 31, 2014, which shall include: (1) a transcription of the
hearing and copies of any documentary evidence admitted, (2) written findings of fact and
conclusions of law, and (3) recommendations addressing the above enumerated questions.

                                                  _________________________________
                                                  Catherine Stone, Chief Justice

       IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said
court on this 2nd day of October, 2014.

                                                  ___________________________________
                                                  Keith E. Hottle
                                                  Clerk of Court