Court Opinion

ID: 6325082
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-03-21 07:18:56.700279+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:21:57.951618
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                         NO. WR-92,475-01

                      EX PARTE MATHEW DAVID LOZOYA, Applicant

                  ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
                  CAUSE NO. F46837-A IN THE 18TH DISTRICT COURT
                             FROM JOHNSON COUNTY

        Per curiam.

                                             ORDER

        Applicant pleaded guilty to two counts of obtaining a controlled substance by fraud, and was

sentenced to four years’ imprisonment for count one and ten years’ community supervision for count

two, to run concurrently. More than five years after his plea of guilty, after his sentence in count one

had been discharged, Applicant pleaded true to violating the terms of his community supervision in

count two. His community supervision was revoked, and he was sentenced to five years’

imprisonment on November 15, 2019.

        On October 9, 2020, pursuant to its continuing duty under Article 39.14 of the Texas Code

of Criminal Procedure to disclose exculpatory or impeaching evidence, the State notified Applicant

of “newly discovered evidence.” Specifically, the State notified Applicant that the offense to which
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Applicant pleaded guilty in count two was a third degree felony pursuant to Texas Health and Safety

Code §481.129(a)(d)(2), and that under Article 42A.053(d)(2)(B)(ii) of the Texas Code of Criminal

Procedure, the maximum period of community supervision authorized for a third degree felony under

Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code is five years.

       Applicant thereafter filed this application for a writ of habeas corpus in the county of

conviction, and the district clerk forwarded it to this Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 11.07.

       Applicant contends, among other things, that the trial court lacked jurisdiction to revoke

Applicant’s community supervision after the maximum period of community supervision authorized

by statute had expired, resulting in a void sentence after revocation. We order that this application

be filed and set for submission to determine: 1) whether, when an applicant receives a period of

community supervision that is longer than the period authorized by statute for the offense charged,

the trial court loses jurisdiction to revoke the community supervision when the maximum period

authorized by statute has expired; 2) whether an applicant who pleads guilty in exchange for a period

of community supervision longer than that authorized by statute is estopped from complaining about

a revocation that occurs within the period of community supervision received but after the maximum

period of community supervision authorized by statute; and 3) whether the conviction for the count

challenged by Applicant in this case was part of a package plea agreement, and if so, in what way

that might affect the appropriate remedy in this case, should the Court find it necessary to fashion

one. The parties shall brief these issues. In addition, the Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney

is invited to submit briefing on these issues. Oral argument is permitted.

       Applicant appears to be represented by counsel. If not, the trial court shall determine whether

Applicant is indigent. If Applicant is indigent and wants to be represented by counsel, the trial court
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shall appoint counsel to represent him. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 26.04. Within sixty days

from the date of this order, the trial court shall send to this Court a supplemental transcript

containing a confirmation that Applicant is represented by counsel, the order appointing counsel, or

a statement that Applicant is not indigent or does not want to be represented by counsel. All briefs

shall be filed with this Court within ninety days from the date of this order.

Filed: March 16, 2022
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