Court Opinion

ID: 3116552
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 07:42:28.126124+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:14:55.183593
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
                            FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON

                                             ORDER

Appellate case name:      John B. Kennedy v. The State of Texas

Appellate case number:    01-12-01143-CV

Trial court case number: 1320351

Trial court:              178th District Court of Harris County

        Appellant, John B. Kennedy, appeals the trial court’s order denying his motion for
restoration of allegedly stolen property, namely, $702,792.99 in currency. The trial court
ordered that the currency be awarded to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, pursuant to
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure article 47.02. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 47.02
(West Supp. 2012). The determination of the ownership of the currency is a civil matter. See
Four B’s Inc. v. State, 902 S.W.2d 683, 684–85 (Tex. App.—Austin 1995, writ denied); see also
Bretz v. State, 508 S.W.2d 97, 97–98 (Tex. Crim App. 1974) (dismissing for lack of jurisdiction
and stating that appeal from order under article 47.02 lies in the courts of civil appeals and
supreme court).
       Appellant has filed a letter with this Court, asserting that he is indigent and requesting
appointment of counsel.
       First, generally, a civil litigant has no state or federal constitutional right to the
appointment of counsel. See Lassiter v. Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 452 U.S. 18, 26–27, 101 S. Ct.
2153, 2159 (1981); Travelers Indem. Co. v. Mayfield, 923 S.W.2d 590, 593 (Tex. 1996).
Whether to appoint counsel in a civil case is a question for the trial court. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
REM. CODE ANN. § 24.016 (West 2004); Coleman v. Lynaugh, 934 S.W.2d 837, 839 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, no writ). Appellant’s request that this Court appoint counsel to
represent him in this civil appeal is dismissed.
         Next, the Court’s records do not reflect that appellant has established indigence in this
appeal in accordance with Rule of Appellate Procedure 20.1, as required in civil appeals. See
TEX. R. APP. P. 20.1 (governing indigence in civil appeals); Four B’s Inc., 902 S.W.2d at 684–85
(noting that proceedings to restore property are similar to forfeiture proceedings, and applying
civil rules).
       On May 17, 2013, the Court notified appellant that the Court’s records do not reflect that
appellant has either established indigence or paid the $175 filing fee. See TEX. R. APP. P. 5.
Unless appellant, no later than 15 days after the date of this order, either files proof that he
has established indigence in this civil appeal or pays the filing fee, the appeal may be dismissed
without further notice. See TEX. R. APP. P. 5 (providing that person who is not excused by statute
or rule from paying costs must pay, at time item is filed, required fees, and authorizing
enforcement); 42.3 (authorizing involuntary dismissal of appeal); see also One 1995 GMC
Pickup v. State, No. 05-03-00399-CV, 2003 WL 1870562, at *1–2 (Tex. App.—Dallas Apr. 14,
2003, no pet.) (mem. op.) (dismissing for failure to establish indigence under Rule 20.1 and
failure to pay filing fee).
       It is so ORDERED.

Judge’s signature: /s/ Laura Carter Higley
                   X Acting individually  Acting for the Court

Date: July 17, 2013