Court Opinion

ID: 9764508
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 03:24:58.207417+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:29:57.571473
License: Public Domain

RONALD L. WALKER, Chief Justice,
dissenting.
The majority’s opinion creates an exception to the jurisdictional requirements of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. See Tex.R.App. P. 25.2(b)(3). I believe the issue was correctly decided in Coleman v. State, 955 S.W.2d 360, 362 (Tex.App.— Amarillo 1997, no pet.), which held that a general notice of appeal does not confer jurisdiction on the Court of Appeals to address the matter of assessment of punishment and imposition of sentence. While it is true a sentence not authorized by law may be challenged at any time, such a challenge must be made to a court with jurisdiction to hear the complaint. Since Jackson pleaded guilty in exchange for a deferred adjudication of his guilt, he should have presented his complaint to the trial court and obtained permission to appeal. Since he did not, a post-conviction writ of habeas corpus remains his only recourse. See Tex.Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 11.07 (Vernon Supp.1999). I would dismiss the appeal for lack of jurisdiction. Since the majority addresses the merits of the appeal, I respectfully dissent.