Court Opinion

ID: 2869686
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-06 03:08:26.95693+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:30:49.040930
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                        NO. 03-04-00598-CV

                                     In the Matter of J. A. M.

     FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 98TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
        NO. J-22,866, HONORABLE W. JEANNE MEURER, JUDGE PRESIDING

                             MEMORANDUM OPINION

               In April 2004, J. A. M. filed his notice of appeal from the trial court’s February 2004

order adjudicating him delinquent and placing him on probation. In May, appellant’s trial counsel

withdrew from the case and a new attorney was appointed to represent him. The clerk’s record was

filed in September and the reporter’s record was filed in December. In January 2005, this Court

notified appellant that his brief was overdue. In February, appellate counsel responded that appellant

had absconded after being placed on probation and that, after a hearing, the trial court “ruled that due

to [appellant’s] absconder status, he was not entitled to a court appointed attorney.” Counsel said

that at the hearing, she “was withdrawn from the case.” Appellate counsel also stated that she had

not heard from appellant or his family since. In March, a trial court clerk informed this Court that

appellant had been rearrested for probation violations in mid-February and that a hearing was set for

March 23. In May, this Court again contacted appellate counsel, asking if appellant intended to

pursue the appeal. Counsel responded, informing this Court that appellant had an upcoming court
date in late June and was being represented by the Juvenile Public Defender’s Office. Counsel

suggested that dismissal of this appeal might be appropriate.

               It appears that the order from which this notice of appeal was filed is a final and

appealable order. However, it is unclear whether appellant wishes to continue this appeal, whether

he understands that an appeal from the February 2004 appeal is pending, and whether he is still

represented by counsel in this appeal or only in the proceeding ongoing in the trial court. On our

own motion, we abate this appeal and remand it to the trial court for a status report as to whether

appellant wishes to pursue this appeal and, if so, whether counsel has been or should be appointed

to pursue this appeal. The trial court is requested to respond to this Court by August 26, 2005.

                                             __________________________________________

                                             David Puryear, Justice

Before Chief Justice Law, Justices B. A. Smith and Puryear

Filed: July 26, 2005

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