Court Opinion

ID: 2940093
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-15 22:01:25.221843+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:58:41.579272
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

OF TEXAS

NO. 45,609-15

EX PARTE TRENT ALVON SMITH, Applicant

ON APPLICATION FOR A WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS
CAUSE NO. 12,994 IN THE 294TH DISTRICT COURT

FROM WOOD COUNTY

 Per curiam.

O R D E R

	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 convicted of forgery by
passing and sentenced to twelve years' imprisonment. 
	Applicant contends that his time credit is being calculated incorrectly by the Texas
Department of Criminal  Justice and that his sentence should have already discharged.  Applicant
has alleged facts that, if true, might entitle him to relief.  In these circumstances, additional facts are
needed.  As we held in Ex parte Rodriguez, 334 S.W.2d 294, 294 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), the trial
court is the appropriate forum for findings of fact.
	The trial court may use any means set out in Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 11.07, § 3(d), in
that it shall order the Texas Department of Criminal  Justice's Office of General Counsel to obtain
affidavits listing Applicant's sentence begin date, any dates that Applicant was released from custody
for any reason, and the dates he was brought back into custody.  The affidavit should also state
whether or not Applicant is receiving credit for any of the time spent on parole and if not, why he
is not receiving such credit.  Finally, the affidavit should indicate whether or not Applicant has
submitted his claim to the time credit resolution system of TDCJ, and if so, the date when the claim
was submitted.
	The trial court may also order depositions, interrogatories or a hearing.  In the appropriate
case, the trial court may rely on its personal recollection.  Id.  If the trial court elects to hold a
hearing, it shall determine whether Applicant is indigent.  If Applicant is indigent and wishes to be
represented by counsel, the trial court shall appoint an attorney to represent Applicant at the hearing. 
Tex. C ode Crim. Proc. Art. 26.04.
	The trial court shall make findings of fact first as to whether Applicant has properly
exhausted his administrative remedies as required by Tex. Gov't Code § 501.0081(b)-(c).  The trial
court shall then make findings as to whether Applicant is receiving the proper amount of time credit. 
The trial court shall also make any other findings of fact and conclusions of law that it deems
relevant and appropriate to the disposition of Applicant's claim for habeas corpus relief.
	This application will be held in abeyance until the trial court has resolved the fact issues.  The
issues shall be resolved within 90 days of this order.  If any continuances are granted, a copy of the
order granting the continuance shall be sent to this Court. A supplemental transcript containing all
affidavits and interrogatories or the transcription of the court reporter's notes from any hearing or
deposition, along with the trial court's supplemental findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall
be returned to this Court within 120 days of the date of this order.  Any extensions of time shall be
obtained from this Court. 
Filed: September 10, 2008
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