Court Opinion

ID: 2953610
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 23:22:40.536484+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:41:53.097593
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

NO. 03-11-00194-CR
NO. 03-11-00195-CR

Ex parte Russell Dale Mortland

FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF HAYS COUNTY, 22ND JUDICIAL DISTRICT

NOS. CR-05-0582-B & CR-05-0583-B, HONORABLE WILLIAM HENRY, JUDGE PRESIDING

M E M O R A N D U M   O P I N I O N

Appellant Russell Dale Mortland appeals orders denying relief in these article 11.072
post-conviction habeas corpus proceedings.  See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 11.072 (West
2005).  We affirm.
On November 29, 2007, Mortland was convicted for retaliation (cause number
CR-05-0583) and three counts of fraudulently filing a financing statement (cause number
CR-05-0582).  He was sentenced to ten years' imprisonment for the retaliation and twenty-four
months in state jail for each of the fraud counts.  Imposition of sentence was suspended in both
causes, and Mortland was placed on community supervision.  On appeal, this Court reversed the
conviction on the third fraud count and ordered that count dismissed; the other convictions were
affirmed.  Mortland v. State, Nos. 03-08-00029-CR & 03-08-00030-CR (Tex. App.--Austin
Dec. 30, 2008, pet. ref'd) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
In his writ applications, Mortland contends that he was denied his right to counsel at 
a hearing before a magistrate on September 16, 2005, shortly after his arrest in these causes.  He
relies on the opinion of the Supreme Court in Rothgery v. Gillespie County, 554 U.S. 191 (2008).
Contrary to Mortland's contention, Rothgery did not hold that a defendant has a right
to counsel at his initial appearance before a judicial officer; that is, it did not hold that this
appearance is a critical stage of a criminal proceeding.  See id. at 212-13.  It held only that the
Sixth Amendment right to counsel attaches at such an appearance and that counsel must be appointed
(or the defendant must be given the opportunity to retain counsel) within a reasonable time
thereafter.  Id.  Mortland does not allege, much less demonstrate, that he was denied counsel at a
critical stage.
The orders denying relief are affirmed.

				__________________________________________
				Melissa Goodwin, Justice
Before Justices Puryear, Rose and Goodwin
Affirmed
Filed:   August 11, 2011
Do Not Publish