Court Opinion

ID: 2950596
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 06:45:53.689318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:37:09.819300
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                          OF TEXAS
                                        NO. WR-83,067-01

                              IN RE JOSE LUIS BAZAN, Relator

                   ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF MANDAMUS
                 CAUSE NO. 1250348-A IN THE 248th DISTRICT COURT
                             FROM HARRIS COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                             ORDER

       Relator has filed a motion for leave to file a writ of mandamus pursuant to the original

jurisdiction of this Court. In it, he contends that he filed an application for a writ of habeas corpus

in the 248th District Court of Harris County on or about June 23, 2014, that more than 35 days have

elapsed, and that the application has not yet been forwarded to this Court. Relator alleges that the

district court entered an order designating issues on July 14, 2014. However, this Court’s records

indicate that a copy of Relator’s habeas application was served on the State on July 3, 2014, and that

the trial court did not sign the order designating issues until November 13, 2014.
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       Upon receipt of an application for a writ of habeas corpus challenging a final felony

conviction, the attorney representing the State has 15 days to respond. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc.

Art. 11.07, §(b). After the expiration of the time allowed for the State to respond, the trial court is

allowed 20 days to determine whether the application contains allegations of controverted,

previously unresolved facts material to the legality of the applicant's confinement. Art. 11.07, §3(c).

If the trial court determines that the application for writ of habeas corpus presents such issues it

"shall enter an order within 20 days of the expiration of the time allowed for the state to reply,

designating issues of fact to be resolved." Id. Article 11.07 does not authorize the trial court to

extend the time limitations imposed by the statute, other than by a timely entry of an order

designating issues. McCree v. Hampton, 824 S.W.2d 578, 579 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992)(emphasis

added). Without a timely entry of an order designating issues, Article 11.07 imposes a duty upon

the clerk of the trial court to immediately transmit to this Court the record from the application for

a writ of habeas corpus, deeming the trial court's inaction a finding that no issues of fact require

further resolution. Art. 11.07, §3(c).

       If this Court’s records are correct, and the trial court did not sign the order designating issues

until November 13, 2014, then this untimely order interfered with the district clerk's duty to transmit

this application to this Court and is therefore without effect. See Martin v. Hamlin, 25 S.W.3d 718,

(Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The district clerk has no authority to continue to hold Relator's application

for a writ of habeas corpus and is under a ministerial duty to immediately forward the application

and related records in cause no. 1250348-A filed in the 248th District Court of Harris to this Court.
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       If this Court’s records are incorrect and Relator’s contention that the trial court signed the

order designating issues on July 14, 2014, is correct, then the trial court’s order designating issues

was timely. In that case, the trial court was required to resolve any issues timely designated for

resolution within 180 days from the date of receipt of the application by the State, and the district

clerk had a duty to forward the application to this Court on the 181st day from the date of receipt of

the application by the State. TEX . R. APP . P. 73.5.

       Respondent, the Judge of the 248th District Court of Harris County, shall file a response with

this Court by having the District Clerk submit the record on such habeas corpus application. In the

alternative, Respondent may resolve the issues set out in the order designating issues and then have

the District Clerk submit the record on such application. In either case, Respondent's answer shall

be submitted within 30 days of the date of this order. This application for leave to file a writ of

mandamus will be held in abeyance until Respondent has submitted the appropriate response.

Filed: April 22, 2015
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