Court Opinion

ID: 2936878
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 17:27:35.481748+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:40:32.726425
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. AP-75,190

EX PARTE JOSE CAVAZOS, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NUMBER 4613-B IN THE 107TH JUDICIAL 
DISTRICT COURT CAMERON COUNTY

 Per Curiam.

O P I N I O N 

 This is a post-conviction application for a writ of habeas corpus forwarded to this
Court pursuant to Tex. Code Crim. Proc.  art. 11.07, § 3, et seq..  Applicant was convicted
of the felony offense of murder, and punishment was assessed at forty years confinement.
Cavazos v. State  No. 13-02-665-CR (Tex App. -- Corpus Christi, delivered January 9,
2003.).
	Applicant contends, inter alia, that he was denied his right to appeal.  The trial court
entered findings of fact and conclusions of law recommending that Applicant's claim be
denied.  We disagree.  Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art. 26.04 (j) (2), requires appointed counsel
to "represent the defendant until charges are dismissed, the defendant is acquitted, appeals
are exhausted, or the attorney is relieved of his duties or replaced by other counsel".  The
duty to perfect an appeal attaches whether counsel is appointed or retained.  See Ex parte
Axel, 757 S.W.2d 369 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988).  Knowing that Applicant wanted to appeal,
counsel had the duty to timely file a motion for new trial or give timely notice of appeal,
unless relieved by the trial court or replaced by other counsel.
	Habeas corpus relief is granted and Applicant is granted an out-of-time appeal from
his conviction in cause number 4613-B from the 107th District Court of Cameron County. 
The proper remedy in a case such as this is to return Applicant to the point at which he can
give notice of appeal.  For purposes of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, all time
limits shall be calculated as if the conviction had been entered on the day that the mandate
of this Court issues.  We hold that Applicant, should he desire to prosecute an appeal, must
take affirmative steps to see that notice of appeal is given within thirty days after the mandate
of this Court has issued.
	Applicant's remaining claims are dismissed.  See Ex parte Torres, 943 S.W.2d 469
(Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
DO NOT PUBLISH
DELIVERED: June 8, 2005