Court Opinion

ID: 9777050
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:52:54.081353+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:46.717402
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing
Relator attended the contempt hearings. He complains that the trial judge “proceeded to trial on the motion for contempt without providing for the transcription of same by a court reporter or obtaining the written waivers of the parties of their respective rights to such transcription, as is required by Section 11.14(d), Texas Family Code .” (emphasis added). We find no requirement in Section 11.14(d) that the waiver of the record be in writing. Since habeas corpus proceedings constitute collateral attacks, the relator must demonstrate that the commitment is void. This he has been unable to do.
Mr. Pappas’ principal contention seems to be that he is now unable to pay, but a relator’s defense of inability to perform depends on his conclusively establishing that at the time of the contempt hearing he was unable to comply with the court’s order, (emphasis added). Ex parte Rohleder, 424 S.W.2d 891 (Tex.1967). Again, he must show that the contempt order was void.
We overrule the motion for rehearing. However, since the relator has given an indication of his inability to pay at the time of the contempt hearing by spending seven days in jail, we believe that the trial court might well consider granting another hearing at which relator’s ability to pay at the time of the contempt hearing and any other extenuating circumstances might be more fully developed and might be recorded. If unable to purge himself, he might remain in jail for the balance of his natural life. Ex parte DeWees, 146 Tex. 564, 210 S.W.2d 145 (Tex.1948).