Court Opinion

ID: 4366459
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-11 09:38:18.763975+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:48:56.748963
License: Public Domain

COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE
                            FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS AT HOUSTON

                              ORDER OF CONTINUING ABATEMENT

Appellate case name:          In the Matter of B.M.

Appellate case number:        01-18-00898-CV

Trial court case number:      18-CJV-021629

Trial court:                  County Court at Law No. 2 of Fort Bend County

       Appellant, B.M., has filed a notice of appeal of the trial court’s “Waiver of
Jurisdiction and Order of Transfer to a Criminal District Court Pursuant to Texas Family
Code Section 54.02(a).” See TEX. FAM. CODE ANN. §§ 54.02, 56.01(c)(1)(A). The
juvenile court determined that appellant is indigent and initially appointed Brian M.
Middleton to represent appellant on appeal. See id. § 56.01(d)(2), (3). Subsequently,
Middleton was elected Fort Bend County District Attorney with a term of office that
began on January 1, 2019.
       On January 24, 2019, we abated the appeal and remanded the case to the juvenile
court to determine the “Motion for Disqualification and Appointment of Attorney Pro
Tem” that Brian M. Middleton filed in this Court. See TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art.
2.07. And, we directed the trial court clerk to file a supplemental clerk’s record
containing the juvenile court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, and orders
regarding the motion no later than February 7, 2019. A supplemental clerk’s record that
complies with our January 24, 2019 order has not been filed.1
      Accordingly, the trial court is directed to immediately conduct a hearing at which
counsel for appellant and counsel for the State shall be present to determine whether
Brian M. Middleton, as Fort Bend County District Attorney, and his Assistant District

1
       On January 24, 2019, the trial court clerk filed a supplemental clerk’s record that includes
       a signed docket sheet notation stating that Cary Faden had been appointed “to replace
       Brian Middleton” to represent appellant on appeal. The supplemental clerk’s record does
       not reflect that the trial court has determined whether Brian M. Middleton, as Fort Bend
       County District Attorney, is disqualified from participating in this proceeding and
       whether an “Attorney Pro Tem” should be appointed.

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Attorneys are disqualified from participating in this case and whether a District Attorney
Pro Tem should be appointed. The trial court shall see that a record of the hearing is
made and make any findings of fact and conclusions of law required by article 2.07 of the
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Brian M. Middleton or his Assistant District
Attorneys shall take any necessary steps to ensure that a hearing is scheduled in order for
the juvenile court, trial court clerk, and court reporter to comply with this order.
        The trial court clerk shall file a supplemental clerk’s record containing the juvenile
court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law, and orders. The court reporter shall file a
reporter’s record of the hearing. The supplemental clerk’s record and reporter’s
record shall be filed with the Clerk of this Court no later than 7 days from the date
of this order.2
      The appeal remains abated, treated as a closed case, and removed from this
Court’s active docket.
       It is so ORDERED.

Judge’s signature: /s/ Julie Countiss
                    Acting individually             Acting for the Court

Date: __February 8, 2019____

2
       This Court is required to bring the appeal to final disposition no later than April 1, 2019,
       so far as reasonably possible. See Order Accelerating Juvenile Certification Appeals and
       Requiring Juvenile Courts to Give Notice of the Right to an Immediate Appeal, Misc.
       Docket 15-9156 (Tex. Aug. 28, 2015).
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