Court Opinion

ID: 2940767
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 22:11:11.108137+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:58:41.099077
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS
                         OF TEXAS
                                          NO. AP-75,886

    EX PARTE DANA LYNN ATTAWAY, AKA DANA LYNN RAGSDALE,
Applicant

            ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
         CAUSE NO. 0619071A IN THE 8 TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
                        FROM HOPKINS COUNTY

       Per curiam.

                                           OPINION

       Pursuant to the provisions of Article 11.07 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, the

clerk of the trial court transmitted to this Court this application for writ of habeas corpus. Ex parte

Young, 418 S.W.2d 824, 826 (Tex. Crim. App. 1967). Applicant was charged in a single indictment

with one count of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and five counts of indecency with a child.

She pleaded guilty to six counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child, and was sentenced to twenty

years for each count years’ imprisonment. She did not appeal her conviction.

       Applicant contends, inter alia, that her counsel was ineffective and pressured her into
pleading guilty. We remanded this application to the trial court for findings of fact and conclusions

of law.

          Trial counsel filed an affidavit with the trial court. Based on that affidavit, the trial court

determined that Applicant received effective assistance from counsel, and that she entered her plea

knowingly and voluntarily. However, the trial court also finds that Applicant pleaded guilty in five

counts of the indictment to offenses more serious than those with which she was charged. Applicant

is entitled to relief. Ex parte Huerta, 692 S.W.2d 681 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985).

          Relief is granted. Because Applicant’s conviction on all six counts is the result of a plea

bargain, the entire conviction must be set aside. Therefore, the judgment in Cause No. 0619071A

in the 8th Judicial District Court of Hopkins County is set aside, and Applicant is remanded to the

Sheriff of Hopkins County to answer the charges against her.

          Copies of this opinion shall be sent to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice–Correctional

Institutions Division and Pardons and Paroles Division.

Delivered:    April 9, 2008
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